Useful Stuff

[S2kreno]

Speed traps in Reno. Did you know that on South McCarran it's 45 on one side of the street and 35 on the other? Got nailed doing 48. On the "wrong" side. Jerks. http://www.speedtrap.org/city/7405/Reno

[dsmith]

Gina, it's been posted like that for years. I drive it everyday and there are plentiful speed signs posted in both directions. Just have to pay attention because they set up radar traps on it at least twice a week.

[Skyhorse]

I just finished my online traffic school Monday with all the administrative costs added I ended up paying a total of $274.95 for going 76 in a 65. Unfortunately all the money went to California. Don’t these people know that cuts into my racing budget?
Ticket amount $203
Privilege of attending traffic school $49
Traffic school 17.95
Verification that it was really me taking the school $5

[BillH]

I just finished my online traffic school Monday with all the administrative costs added I ended up paying a total of $274.95 for going 76 in a 65. Unfortunately all the money went to California. Don’t these people know that cuts into my racing budget?
Ticket amount $203
Privilege of attending traffic school $49
Traffic school 17.95
Verification that it was really me taking the school $5

California always wants your money, I got busted for towing the race trailer in the wrong lane, never heard of that before, $157.

But I do run a radar detector.

[S2kreno]

I never got tickets in either of the S2000s or even the Exige. It's the damn Forester that gets them every time. Just doesn't feel fast. And 35 on a 6-lane road IS a speed trap; there is no honest reason for such a low limit. I would be bothered a lot less if the law enforcement types were a tenth as interested in catching real criminals (like the ones who beat my car senseless and stole her hard top) as they are in grabbing normal folks for a 5 mph violation.

[Kevin M]

Speed limits aren't based on the size of the road, they're based almost completely on visibility issues, frequency of intersections, etc. Basically the expected reaction time of you seeing and not hitting something/someone that unexpectedly ends up in front of you because they couldn't see far enough to know you were coming at X speed. Size of the road is determined solely by anticipated traffic flow and type (e.g. trucks). And like Don said, it's pretty clearly marked. The Reno area doesn't really have anything I would call a "speed trap," just some places where most people wouldn't be able to see why it's lower than it seems like it should be. It's places where rural highways run through small town areas (such as Shurz) that are real speed traps.

[S2kreno]

According to the Traffic Safety Research Division of the Federal Highway Administration: "During the past five years, the Federal Highway Administration has sponsored a number of studies to establish a better understanding of travel speeds and speed limits on various types of roads. The study of the speed zoning problem was prompted in part by concern about widespread violations and the seemingly arbitrary level of many posted speeds. Speed limits are intended to inform drivers of the maximum reasonable and safe travel speed. However, there is little agreement on what constitutes a safe speed. In a nationwide survey of current speed zoning practices, all states and most of the 44 localities reported using the 85th-percentile speed as the basic factor in setting speed limits. However, the posted speed is often set up to 10 mph lower than the prevailing speed based on a subjective consideration of other factors such as road-side development. The relative subjectivity of the speed zoning process points to the need to re-examine the criteria and procedures used in setting speed limits." Driver Speed Behavior on U.S. Streets and Highways Samuel C. Tignor, Ph.D., and Davey Warren

[Old Rallyist]

In California in order for a speed limit to be enforced with radar it must be set, except for residential and school zones, based upon a speed study. That 85th percentile stuff comes into play. Typically you will not find a sign saying radar enforced unless the speed limit was set based upon a speed study. If not set with a speed study you have half a chance of beating the rap if do some research and go to court. My favorite revenue zone is the downhill run on I-80 east of Auburn. I did enjoy seeing on my way to Stead on Sunday a Prius pulled over for speeding going uphill in the same area. I almost honked and waved but controlled the urge.

[S2kreno]

Here's the conclusion of the study: "The findings to date suggest that, on the average, current speed limits are set too low to be accepted as reasonable by the vast majority of drivers. Only about 1 in 10 speed zones has better than 50-percent compliance. The posted speeds make technical violators out of motorists driving at reasonable and safe speeds.

For the traffic law system to minimize accident risk, then speed limits need to be properly set to define maximum safe speed. Our studies show that most speed zones are posted 8 to 12 mph below the prevailing travel speed and 15 mph or more below the maximum safe speed. Increasing speed limits to more realistic levels will not result in higher speeds but would increase voluntary compliance and target enforcement at the occasional violator and high-risk driver.

One way for restoring the informational value of speed limits requires that we do a better job of engineering speed limits. Hopefully, the results of this research will provide engineers with the knowledge and tools needed to set maximum safe speed limits that are defensible and accepted by the public and the courts."

[Old Rallyist]

On local roads engineers recommend speed limits based upon studies, but politicians often decide where to set the limit. There is a local road where the speed study showed an 85th percentile speed of 38 mph, but the politicians set the speed limiit at 25 mph. Having an artificially low speed limit can create a traffic safety problem. Unfortunately in many jurisdictions traffic enforcement is used as a revenue generator rather than for motivating safe driving practices.

[BillH]

Up here (Mt.Rose Hwy), the locals put up signs "Slow Down, Children At Play". They're very good about driving 25 mph, until they get a block away, then they drive 50 in a 25, run stop signs,etc.

[Kevin M]

Up here (Mt.Rose Hwy), the locals put up signs "Slow Down, Children At Play". They're very good about driving 25 mph, until they get a block away, then they drive 50 in a 25, run stop signs,etc.

Which is why speed limits are based on engineering principles, not the surveys about how fast everybody actually goes. Those are just to enable radar enforcement in CA.

[AlexR]

Well the engineering principle that most engineers agree upon is that you have to pick a speed that 85% of people will freely choose to drive, so that most of the traffic goes the same speed to reduce accidents.

:) you can lead a horse to water ....

Ya gina that spot gets me too. I've done 55-60 there a few times (feels like part of the faster McCarren loop) then i wonder why everyone is going so slow, then i slam on the brakes , frantically looking for a speed limit sign (or cop lights)

Virginia city is much cheaper to get a speeding ticket, 70$ bucks! cheapest i've gotten in a few years. :)

[Kevin M]

Well the engineering principle that most engineers agree upon is that you have to pick a speed that 85% of people will freely choose to drive, so that most of the traffic goes the same speed to reduce accidents.

How speed limits are enforced by radar <> how speed limits are set. Engineers don't give a crap how fast you and me WANT to go. They care how fast we can go before there is increased accident risk because of factors I already mentioned. Moreover, it's silly to think that any municipality will increase a speed limit because they figured out that people are speeding in that zone. :lol:

[Old Rallyist]

This is what I could find regarding the establishment of speed limits in Nevada. I thought some of you might find it of interest. From what I could find the Nevada DOT needs to do studies but the locals are free to set limits as they wish without a study.

NRS 269.185 Power to regulate vehicular traffic; ordinances; posting informational signs and other devices at school zones and school crossing zones.
1. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 707.375 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-707.html#NRS707Sec375), in addition to the powers and jurisdiction conferred upon the town boards or boards of county commissioners by this chapter, such boards may:
(a) Regulate traffic upon the streets and alleys of towns or cities governed by such boards pursuant to this chapter.
(b) Regulate the speed, parking, stopping, turning and operation of all motor vehicles and other vehicles using the streets and alleys.
(c) Pass and adopt all ordinances, rules and regulations, and do and perform all acts and things necessary for the execution of the powers and jurisdiction conferred by this section.
2. The town board or board of county commissioners shall cause to be displayed, in each school zone and school crossing zone where the county has posted a speed limit, signs or other devices designating the times during which the speed limit in the zone is to apply.
[1a:48:1881; added 1937, 212; 1931 NCL § 1231.01]—(NRS A 1963, 1294; 1967, 1729; 1993, 2587; 1999, 2675 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Statutes/70th/Stats199916.html#Stats199916page2675); 2003, 1252 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Statutes/72nd/Stats200309.html#Stats200309page1252))

NRS 484B.610 Speed limit in unincorporated town; additional penalty for violation committed in work zone.
1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2 and pursuant to the power granted in NRS 269.185 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-269.html#NRS269Sec185), the town board or board of county commissioners may, by ordinance, limit the speed of motor vehicles in any unincorporated town in the county as may be deemed proper.
2. The Department of Transportation may establish the speed limits for motor vehicles on highways within the boundaries of any unincorporated town which are constructed and maintained under the authority granted by chapter 408 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-408.html#NRS408) of NRS.
3. A person who violates any speed limit established pursuant to this section may be subject to the additional penalty set forth in NRS 484B.130 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-484B.html#NRS484BSec130).
(Added to NRS by 1969, 1486; A 1979, 1804; 1985, 301; 2003, 3243 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Statutes/72nd/Stats200326.html#Stats200326page3243))—(Substitute d in revision for NRS 484.367)

NRS 484B.613 Speed limit: Establishment for vehicles on highways constructed and maintained by Department of Transportation; additional penalty for violation committed in work zone.
1. The Department of Transportation may establish the speed limits for motor vehicles on highways which are constructed and maintained by the Department of Transportation under the authority granted to it by chapter 408 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-408.html#NRS408) of NRS.
2. Except as otherwise provided by federal law, the Department of Transportation may establish a speed limit on such highways not to exceed 75 miles per hour and may establish a lower speed limit:
(a) Where necessary to protect public health and safety.
(b) For trucks, overweight and oversized vehicles, trailers drawn by motor vehicles and buses.
3. A person who violates any speed limit established pursuant to this section may be subject to the additional penalty set forth in NRS 484B.130 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-484B.html#NRS484BSec130).
(Added to NRS by 1995, 2440; A 1997, 640; 2003, 3243 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Statutes/72nd/Stats200326.html#Stats200326page3243))—(Substitute d in revision for NRS 484.368)

NRS 484B.617 Certain violations of speed limit in rural areas: Fines; Department not to record violation on driver’s record; violation not deemed moving traffic violation.
1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, a person driving a motor vehicle during the hours of daylight at a speed in excess of the speed limit posted by a public authority for the portion of highway being traversed shall be punished by a fine of $25 if:
(a) The posted speed limit is 60 miles per hour and the person is not exceeding a speed of 70 miles per hour.
(b) The posted speed limit is 65 miles per hour and the person is not exceeding a speed of 75 miles per hour.
(c) The posted speed limit is 70 miles per hour and the person is not exceeding a speed of 75 miles per hour.
2. A violation of the speed limit under any of the circumstances set forth in subsection 1 must not be recorded by the Department on a driver’s record and shall not be deemed a moving traffic violation.
3. The provisions of this section do not apply to a violation specified in subsection 1 that occurs in a county whose population is 100,000 or more if the portion of highway being traversed is in:
(a) An urban area; or
(b) An area which is adjacent to an urban area and which has been designated by the public authority that established the posted speed limit for the portion of highway being traversed as an area that requires strict observance of the posted speed limit to protect public health and safety.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 2524; A 1999, 572 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Statutes/70th/Stats199904.html#Stats199904page572), 1711 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Statutes/70th/Stats199910.html#Stats199910page1711))—(Substitute d in revision for NRS 484.3685)

NRS 484B.620 Speed zones and signs.
1. The Department of Transportation may prescribe speed zones, and install appropriate speed signs controlling vehicular traffic on the state highway system as established in chapter 408 (http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-408.html#NRS408) of NRS through hazardous areas, after necessary studies have been made to determine the need therefor, and to eliminate speed zones and remove the signs therefrom whenever the need therefor ceases to exist.
2. After the establishment of a speed zone and the installation of appropriate signs to control speed, it is unlawful for any person to drive a motor vehicle upon the road and in the speed zone in excess of the speed therein authorized.
(Added to NRS by 1969, 1487; A 1979, 1805; 1985, 641)—(Substituted in revision for NRS 484.369)

[Cody]

I just finished my online traffic school Monday with all the administrative costs added I ended up paying a total of $274.95 for going 76 in a 65. Unfortunately all the money went to California. Don’t these people know that cuts into my racing budget?
Ticket amount $203
Privilege of attending traffic school $49
Traffic school 17.95
Verification that it was really me taking the school $5
I just got nailed in CA doing 75 in a 65. Those Lidar guns are no joke. Is it worth it to take the traffic school, even though I'm a NV resident and the ticket was in CA? The CA traffic court just told me I'd need to call the NV DMV to know if the traffic school would prevent the point from going on my record.

BTW, when I moved here 5 years ago, or so, all of my accidents and tickets magically disapeared from my record. Are we sure tickets in CA affect our cost of insurance in NV?

[Cody]

Huh, this makes it sound like there's no reason to attend traffic school (or pay the $59 just for the right to do so):
Nevada residents who received a citation in another state - Contact the court of jurisdiction as listed on the citation for possible plea bargain arrangements. Any conviction will become part of your Nevada driving record. Out-of-state convictions do not generate demerit points.
http://www.dmvnv.com/dlpoints.htm

The question is, does no demerit points mean no insurance raise?

[AlexR]

If it hits your DMV Record chances are it makes it to your insurance company. Your insurance company can query the DMV for your record and i'm pretty sure its automated into every insurance companies process when they go to give you a new quote for your next 6 month policy.

as per progressive they wait 6 months to change your policy so if i got a ticket in january and my policy ends in july my next rates will be as if i didn't get a speeding ticket, and after that they shoot up.

[vic]

If it hits your DMV Record chances are it makes it to your insurance company. Your insurance company can query the DMV for your record and i'm pretty sure its automated into every insurance companies process when they go to give you a new quote for your next 6 month policy.

as per progressive they wait 6 months to change your policy so if i got a ticket in january and my policy ends in july my next rates will be as if i didn't get a speeding ticket, and after that they shoot up.

So they progressivly go up. I was wondering where the name came from.:lol:

[AlexR]

So they progressivly go up. I was wondering where the name came from.:lol:


Time to switch to regressive :)