Traffic perceptions and misconceptions

I’ve received several requests for traffic related articles due to, ahem, colorfully descriptive drivers in Las Vegas.  While the list is long and distinguished, traffic laws are sometimes definitive and a lot of times vague.  Even the people who enforce the law have a difficult time deciphering the meanings.

Here’s a few of the public’s perceptions and misconceptions of some traffic related issues;

Stop.  Webster’s dictionary states: to cease activity or operation, to cease to move on.

Stop means STOP!  Red lights, stop signs all mean stop.  No “California” stops, rolling through the intersection without coming to a complete stop.  Slowing down does not constitute a stop. 

Right turn on RED.  See above.   While acceptable to turn right on a red light (unless the posted sign says “No right turn on red”), you must come to a COMPLETE stop. 

U-turns.  The only time you cannot make a U-turn is if there is a posted sign indicating no U-turn.  Pay attention to the striping in the roadway as some do not allow any types of turns across them, such as double yellow. 

The cameras mounted on the traffic signals are not red light cameras.  And they don’t record the intersection.  They are used to monitor the traffic flow so the signals can be adjusted for maximum traffic efficiency, when needed.  So if you are involved in an accident, don’t ask the investigating officer to “pull the tape” or “check the camera”.

Asking to see the radar gun if stopped for speeding.  Officers do not have to show you the radar gun, if they used one, if you are being cited for speeding.  Radar is used to verify a visual estimation of your speed.  So, the officer doesn’t even need a radar gun to cite you.  The officer also may have paced you with his vehicle.  The officer has to deal with other traffic on the roadway while dealing with you and doesn’t need to be waltzing back and forth between his vehicle and yours unnecessarily or having you walking to his vehicle.

If I was asked for my radar gun, and it was safe to do so, I would unplug it and bring it to the driver’s window.  Of course, the display was off by then.

If you rear-end someone, you’re going to be at fault 99% of the time.  When investigating vehicle collisions involving rear enders, the occasional excuse would be “he stopped for no reason” or “he braked abruptly and I couldn’t stop in time”.  There really is no excuse for rear ending someone.  You’re either following too close or not paying attention. 

Here’s a typical argument from an at fault driver who caused a rear end collision;

Driver; “I was not following him too close, officer”

Officer; “Then why did you rear end him?”

Driver; “Because he stopped too quickly”

Officer; “So, you couldn’t stop in time?”

Driver; “Exactly”

Officer; “So you didn’t have enough time to react and stop your vehicle in time, right?”

Driver; “Yes”

Officer; “So you were following too closely”

Driver; “No, I wasn’t”

Officer; “Sigh”

If you are stopped for a violation or you find out you are at fault for an accident, a meltdown at the scene is definitely not going to help your case.   Getting out and throwing a tantrum will get you the attention of others and you may become responsible for other accidents, possibly getting you another citation or worse.  The officer will give you a copy of your citation and explain by you signing, you are not admitting guilt.  Which means you can go to court to dispute the violation.  

If you refuse to sign, you are saying you want to see the judge now.  That requires a trip to jail.  Your vehicle impounded.  A mark on your record. If it is the weekend, you may stay for the weekend before seeing the judge.

Really?

And yes, LVMPD motorcycle officers ride Harley-Davidsons.  Metro has one of the largest all Harley motor divisions in the country. 

One of the most common questions we fielded, usually by someone totally adorned with “Harley” t-shirts, “Harley” boots, “Harley” baseball cap, sometime wearing “Harley” leathers was, “Is that a Harley?”

The question of the year is “So, they’re putting Harley motors in those things now?”

Oh.  During the summer months where it reaches an indicated 115 degrees and you pull up next to a motorcycle officer, who is dripping wet, at the intersection, find something else to ask him other than “Aren’t you hot on that thing?”

I’d usually respond with “Yeah, the county’s broke, so they won’t fix the air conditioner on these things”, which always got this response: “Well, that’s BS”.

Sigh.