If you see flashing lights, think about pulling over
This week readers want to know if a motorist must pull over to the right if an emergency vehicle is approaching you on the other side of a divided road with lights and sirens on; and why are the street lights out on Craig Road in the northeast valley? Also, we find out what the holdup is on some traffic signals that are up but not working in the southeast valley. And the Road Warrior reflects on an accomplishment his predecessor failed to reach.
Kati in Henderson asks: Do drivers have to yield to emergency vehicles, with lights and sirens on, when the vehicles are on the other side of a divided road?
State law never actually mentions a divided road when noting what drivers should do when approached by an emergency vehicle "running code" -- with lights and sirens on.
Nevada Revised Statute 484.323 states: "Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle ... making use of flashing lights ... the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge ... clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle or official vehicle has passed."
I take that to mean a driver should act the same regardless of whether there is a division in the road: Pull to the right.
But there are some exceptions, said Capt. Richard Collins, head of the Metropolitan Police Department's traffic bureau.
In the case of a divided freeway, such as Interstate 15, U.S. Highway 95, or the Las Vegas Beltway, or even Boulder Highway, which has a wide dirt median, the motorist on the opposite side of an oncoming emergency vehicle does not have to pull over, Collins said.
"Where the problem usually occurs is when there is a left turn that has a median just for turning. Emergency vehicles can drive over these types of medians and drive on the opposite side of the roadway, which requires all vehicles to pull to the right," he said.
Collins added, "The best advice I would offer, is if your readers are on a city or county roadway (not I-15, U.S. 95, or the Beltway) and an emergency vehicle is coming either way, pull to the right."
A reader asks: Do you know anything about why the street lights on Craig, between Lamb and Nellis boulevards, don't work?
A burned out main breaker darkened the street lights on that section of Craig, said Bobby Shelton, spokesman for the Clark County Public Works Department.
The good news is that the county's maintenance crew replaced the breaker and the street lights should be working, Shelton said.
HIT N' RUN
A few weeks ago, Will Hayes asked when the traffic signals at Tropicana Avenue and Steptoe Street in the southeast valley would be turned on. I was told it would take about two weeks.
As several readers have pointed out, it's been more than two weeks and the signals are still not on.
I checked with Clark County, and they said they are still waiting for NV Energy to turn on the juice.
So how long before the electricity is turned on? Fourteen days, I was told.
I'll be awaiting your phone calls and e-mails if the signals aren't working by March 25.
PITCH N' CATCH
Two years ago, I listened to my predecessor, Omar Sofradzija, proudly proclaim he would reach home plate from the pitcher's mound at Cashman Field when he threw out the first pitch at an exhibition game between the Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners.
"Omey," as he was sometimes affectionately called, failed to reach the catcher. He bounced the ball in the dirt in front of home plate, falling short of the full 60-feet, 6-inches.
Sofradzija, a long suffering Cubs fan, clasped his hands to his head and fell to the ground in disgrace. His only accomplishment that day was a grass stain on his home Cubs jersey.
Last Wednesday, I was asked to throw out the first pitch at the exhibition game between the Cubs and Chicago White Sox.
Proudly wearing my New York Yankees away jersey and a Las Vegas 51s cap, I stepped atop the mound, focused on restoring the Road Warrior reputation Sofradzija had bankrupted.
I wound up and released.
I've described the pitch as an Eephus-curve-knuckle-offspeed-slider. Though it was a ball, it would have enticed an 0-2 right handed batter to swing.
Most importantly the pitch reached the catcher.
Road Warrior reputation restored.
Visit these Web sites to check out photos of Omar's toss: (https://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2007/Apr-01-Sun-2007/news/13481428.html) and my pitch (http://www.lvrj.com/news/40918142.html).
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 these updates for the $240 million Interstate 15 north widening project:
D Street will be closed under I-15, from 11 p.m. today to 6 p.m. Thursday.
The I-15 southbound offramp to Lake Mead Boulevard will be closed beginning 9 p.m. Sunday through the summer. Use Cheyenne Avenue or Washington Avenue as an alternative.
The I-15 northbound offramp to westbound Lake Mead will close beginning 9 p.m. Sunday. Use posted detours.
Lake Mead at I-15 will be reduced to one lane in each direction beginning Sunday through November.
The D Street/Washington onramp to I-15 southbound will be closed from 9 p.m. Monday through December. Use posted detours.
The I-15 southbound offramp to Cheyenne is expected to reopen Tuesday.
Lake Mead will be closed under Interstate 15 from 9 p.m. March 20 to 5 a.m. March 21.
Lane restrictions can be expected on Rampart Boulevard, from Lake Mead Boulevard to Vegas Drive, for a paving project from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, the Las Vegas Public Works Department announced.
Motorists should watch for lane restrictions on Oakey Boulevard near Rancho Drive as work continues on a $6.2 million flood control improvement project. The project began at the intersection of Oakey and Birch Street, east of Rancho, and will proceed west to Cahlan Drive. The project began in late February and is expected to be finished by the end of the year. Some temporary road closures may also be necessary. Sahara Avenue and Charleston Boulevard are suggested alternate routes for east-west travel.
