Desert Inn Road plans long range
This week readers want to know whether there are any plans to complete Desert Inn Road in the eastern valley; are there any laws that prohibit panhandling; and what happens when you refuse to sign a traffic citation? And a reader sends in a personalized license plate that shows not everyone is hurting from the lagging economy.
A reader asks: Are there any plans in the works to complete Desert Inn, between Cabana Drive and Hollywood Boulevard? It would go a long way in relieving the traffic on Vegas Valley Drive.
Yes, there are plans.
But the plans are of the long-range variety, Bobby Shelton, spokesman for the Clark County Public Works Department, said.
"There is nothing in the design stage at this point in time for the near future," Shelton said.
Shelton explained that long range means several years from now.
I think part of the issue is the slowdown in development throughout the valley. Roads that would have extended our metropolis farther east, west, north or south are not being built because growth has been stunted by the recession.
Ron Oliver asks: Is there a law prohibiting pedestrians from walking car to car and asking for money as drivers are stopped at red signals? Panhandling is a major traffic hazard. The light turns green, and these pedestrians are out in the way of moving vehicles.
Panhandling is illegal under state law.
Nevada Revised Statute 484.331 section 3 states: "A person shall not, without a permit ... solicit any contribution from the driver or any occupant of a vehicle."
Permits are issued to people looking to solicit "charitable" contributions.
An interesting aspect of the statutes is that the solicitors must stay on the sidewalk or on the median strip in the middle of the roadway.
Jim Frake asks: Is there a law that says the driver must sign a ticket written by a police officer? What happens if the driver doesn't sign the ticket?
There is no such law that states that a driver must sign a traffic citation. But if the driver doesn't sign the citation, that person will be immediately taken before a magistrate, according to state law.
Nevada Revised Statute 484.799 states that a driver who has been charged with a violation "may give his written promise to appear in court." If the driver does so, the notice to appear must be at least five days after the issuance of the citation, the statute states.
If you go to Nevada Revised Statute 484.793 section 2, you will learn what happens when a driver refuses to sign the promise to appear in court. The statute states, a person must be taken "without unnecessary delay before the proper magistrate." Taken, by the way, means taken into custody.
What is an unnecessary delay? Well if your citation occurs when the court is closed, you have to wait until it opens, if you refuse to promise to appear.
For someone arrested late on a Friday night, that could mean waiting until Monday morning before seeing a judge.
Hit 'n' Run:
This license plate was spotted by a reader on a silver BMW 745Li: LXRYTAX or "luxury tax."
The reader said, "It sure is nice to know that not everyone is suffering through this economic crisis."
If you have a question, tip or tirade, call Francis McCabe at (702) 387-2904, or send an e-mail to roadwarrior@reviewjournal.com. Please include your phone number.
The Nevada Department of Transportation announced the following updates for the ongoing $240 million Interstate 15 north widening project:
• The Lake Mead Boulevard onramp to Interstate 15 southbound will be closed from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
• D Street will be closed under I-15 from 11 p.m. Tuesday to 6 p.m. March 4.
• Lake Mead will be closed under I-15 from 9 p.m. March 6 to 6 p.m. March 7.
• D Street will be closed under I-15 from 11 p.m. March 17 to 6 p.m. March 19.
• Lake Mead will be closed under I-15 from 9 p.m. March 27 to 6 p.m. March 28.
Motorists are advised to use posted detours.
Construction on a conversion project to bury overhead power lines on Flamingo Road, from Koval Lane to I-15, has begun. The project began at the Koval substation on the northeast corner of Koval and Flamingo; crews are currently working along the south side of Flamingo heading west toward I-15. Construction takes place during overnight hours, between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., on Sunday evenings through Friday mornings. During construction hours, traffic lanes will be reduced on Flamingo. Drivers are asked to use alternate routes and expect delays. The project is being funded by Harrah's Operating Company, Inc. as part of a special improvement district approved by Clark County in March. The project is expected to take about a year to complete.
