NHP: Traffic issues near Sand Harbor causing dangerous conditions and congestion
Submitted by editor on Fri, 08/11/2017 - 5:21am
Early mornings, especially on Saturdays and Sundays, in the area of State Route 28 near Sand Harbor, there have been many reported traffic issues, traffic backups, stopped vehicles on the road waiting to enter the Sand Harbor Beach entrance, and other dangerous situations before the park opens. Traffic backs up all the way into Incline Village and causes long delays.
Vehicles stop in the roadway and completely block the southbound lane. Many motorists that are not waiting to enter the park and wish to continue south towards US50, become very frustrated.
Some of these drivers cross the double yellow lines and attempt to pass the stopped traffic by going wrong way in the northbound travel lane. This is causing many near head-on collisions and have the potential to cause serious injury crashes, or even worse, traffic fatalities.
These conditions are also causing long unnecessary delays for emergency vehicles and first responders (Police, Fire and EMS).
Nevada Highway Patrol wants to remind all residents and visitors that plan on using Sand Harbor Beach that stopping in the travel lanes is illegal as well as crossing over double yellow lines to pass other vehicles.
The Nevada Revised Statutes being violated when this occurs are; (NRS) 484B.627 (2) which states, “you shall not bring a vehicle to a complete stop upon a roadway so far as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic.”
Additionally, (NRS) 484B.217 (2) states, “a driver shall not drive on the left side of the highway within such zone or drive across or on the left side of any pavement striping designed to mark such zone throughout its length.”
This refers to crossing over double yellow lines to pass other vehicles.
Sand Harbor State Park beach access opens at 8am.
Vehicle traffic and motorist are NOT allowed to “park and wait” and/or stop in the travel lanes prior to the opening of the Sand Harbor State Park. Nevada Highway Patrol has received numerous complaints and calls regarding this traffic issue and will be actively patrolling the area during morning hours. Motorists that stop to “wait” for Sand Harbor to open and violate the applicable laws will be issued a citation for “Impeding Traffic.”
Nevada Highway Patrol is dedicated to keeping the roadways safe for Nevada’s residents and visitors and ensuring the safe flow of traffic on SR28 in both directions.
