Rain, roadwork and moving to the right — all in a Las Vegas day’s drive

You’ve probably already put away your raincoats and forgot that you need new windshield wiper fluid after Friday’s rain, seeing as the forecast allowed us only one day of showers after an almost two-month dry spell.

But rain affects us desert rats, since we don’t know how to drive in it and the ground doesn’t know how to absorb it.

So reader Ken asked us about a flood zone near his home, and some construction he’s seen nearby.

“Can you please tell me, or tell me where I can find, what the construction is on Cabana Drive where it intersects with Flamingo? We’re hoping that the construction is to resolve the flooding of Cabana in that area every time there is any decent rain. Our house is nearby and this flooding has been a problem since we moved here in 1999.”

Ken, I can tell you what it is and where to find updates! According to Clark County spokesman Dan Kulin, the construction is likely from a large project that Clark County and the Regional Flood Control District are pairing up on.

The bulk of that project is farther north, centered around Desert Rose Golf Course, but Kulin said some of the outlying work areas might include your neighborhood. He also said the effects of the improvements should definitely benefit your neighborhood.

Here’s how it started:

In 2011, the Federal Emergency Management Agency identified a high-risk flood zone that included nearly 1,700 homes and businesses.

In 2012, after unseasonably high rain levels, the flood district set aside $35 million to improve two washes and the Desert Rose Golf Course, which has washes running through it.

In 2013, they upped the reserve money to $50 million.

And now here we are today, the beginning of construction.

You can check updates at www.lvwashproject.com. There’s a whole set of complicated maps with labels and arrows to see where the construction areas and truck routes are. Best of luck, sir.

This one isn’t so much a question, but an addition from last week.

We answered a question for Ann (remember, not scorpion Anne but Henderson Ann) about Racetrack Road.

Henderson spokesman Keith Paul told us that a lot of streets surrounding Racetrack Road will get repaved in extending Newport Drive to Boulder Highway. But Racetrack Road itself was left out.

This week, he clarified for us that Racetrack will also be repaved in the process. Huzzah! So much nice smooth pavement.

Which leads us into the Road Warrior’s Reminder.

There have already been nearly a dozen traffic-related valley fatalities in 2014, and we’re barely a month in. Even if that smooth pavement is calling out for a nice fast drive, we’ve got to be careful.

Nevada Highway Patrol trooper Loy Hixson would like us to address Nevada Revised Statute 484B.267, in case we’re not careful and someone has to call for an emergency vehicle.

NRS 484B.267: Operation of vehicle on approach of authorized emergency vehicle or official vehicle of regulatory agency.

A very common question for the Road Warrior — what do I do when I’m in the way of an ambulance or police car with its lights flashing? We’ve covered it before, but it is still frequently wondered and asked.

This law tells us to always yield to the emergency vehicle. That part seems like a given.

The less obvious part is to get to the right side. That might seem like a given, until you’re in the left-hand turn lane at a red light and there are four lanes between you and the right shoulder.

“This one is a good reminder,” Hixson tells us. “We see a lot of drivers wanting to just stop in the travel lane they were occupying. We also see where a driver just pulls to the left instead of the right causing a delay for the emergency vehicle.”

What it boils down to: If you can safely move to the right side of the road, do it. If you’re driving in the left lane and an ambulance is coming around you on the right, slow your roll, but don’t switch lanes or shoot into the median.

Most importantly, use common sense and don’t cause a wreck.

If you have a question, tip or tirade, send an email to roadwarrior@reviewjournal.com. Include your phone number.