Thousands cited for using cell phone while driving in Nevada

The Nevada Departments of Transportation and Public Safety, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and Reno Police are reminding motorists that handheld cellphone use while driving is illegal.

On Oct. 1, 2011, law enforcement began giving motorists a warning for driving while talking, typing or reading on a handheld cellphone. Fines of up to $250, depending on the number of offenses, began being issued on Jan. 1, 2012 for any driver using a handheld phone or device to talk, type or read. In the six months that citations have been issued, motorists in northwestern Nevada have received well over 2,000 cellphone-related tickets.

“The Highway Patrol and other agencies continue to crack down on drivers using their phones while driving or stopped at stoplights or signs,” Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Chuck Allen said. “Drivers must remember that it’s illegal to use a handheld phone or device at any time while behind the wheel, whether reading, talking or typing or whether driving or stopped at a light or sign. The tickets themselves can be costly, but more than that, driving distracted by your cellphone can be deadly.”

“You are four times more likely to crash when driving while talking on a cellphone,” Washoe County Sheriff’s Deputy Armando Avina explained. “In fact, driving while talking or texting can delay reaction time as much as driving legally drunk. There are more than 3,000 distraction-related crashes in Nevada every year, and nearly 50 deaths in the past five years.”

“Because someone was driving distracted or didn’t put their phone away, there is a family member who is not coming home,” added Nevada Department of Transportation Director Susan Martinovich. “Nevada’s traffic safety goal is zero fatalities. Buckle up, don’t drive impaired, put away the cellphone and other distractions while driving – these are some ways we can all reach zero fatalities each time we drive.”

Across the nation in 2009, nearly 5,500 people died and half a million were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver. The number is believed to represent only the tip of the iceberg because police reports cannot always document whether distraction was a factor in vehicle crashes.

Additional Options to Limit Distractions

∙ Before driving, secure your cellphone in a place such as the glove box where you will not be able or tempted to access it while driving.

∙ Make any necessary phone calls before or after driving. If you must make a call while driving, pull over to a safe area such as a parking lot before making or receiving a call or texting. Note: do not park directly off to the side of the road to make a call. This is not safe due to the proximity to moving traffic.

∙ Seek out and install an application that blocks phone calls and texting while driving.

∙ Do not call someone who you know is driving at the time.

∙ Remain focused on the road. Do not eat, apply makeup, reach across the vehicle for items or conduct any other distracting activities while driving.

∙ Ask a passenger to assist you with activities that may be distracting while you are driving, such as reading directions.

Nevada Handheld Cellphone Law - Nevada Revised Statute 484B.165

It is a crime for a person to manually type or enter text into a cellular telephone or other similar device, or to send or read data using any such device, while operating a motor vehicle…..further prohibits a person from using such a device for voice communications unless the device is used with an accessory which allows person to communicate without using his or her hands, with certain limited exceptions.

Violation is a misdemeanor and punishable by a fine of $50 for a first offense within the immediately preceding 7 years, $100 for a second offense within the immediately preceding 7 years and $250 for a third or subsequent offenses within the immediately preceding 7 years. If a person is convicted of a third or subsequent offense, in addition to the fine, the driver’s license of the person will be suspended for 6 months.