I love to report "good news" when it comes to traffic!  It doesn’t seem like we get a lot of it… does it?

Today I have two announcements when it comes to roads projects.

First:

Dean Martin Drive is now open!  The road intersects Blue Diamond just west of the Silverton Casino Lodge.  Many of you have wondered when it would open… and finally, it has.  The Silverton Casino also let us know… it will serve as the main access to the casino’s self parking and valet. 

Second:

The Rancho Interchange will open on May 17th!  The project is finally coming to an end.  This has been a trouble spot for drivers for more than a year.   A new bridge was constructed, new connector ramps to I-15 and a new ramp at MLK.  This project should make the commute smoother for drivers entering and exiting the Spaghetti Bowl.   The highway was also widened.   A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for the 17th.     

Next week, May 7th, I am going to cover this topic.  I will use my What’s Driving You Crazy segments to talk about various issues surrounding road rage.  What are the most common reasons for road rage? What incidents have happened as a result of road rage? Etc. 

I will interview Sgt. Steve Wholey on Wednesday about potential criminal penalties too.

Email me ( droselli@klastv.com ) what you want to know… or even tell me your own personal story!!

Posted by Dayna Roselli

We debuted a new "real time" traffic system today on Eyewitness News This Morning.  It’s the valley’s only system that can show you REAL time traffic conditions on the highways.  You will be able to actually see the traffic speeds on the highways.  You will be able to glance at the T.V. and see if there is a slow down that affects your commute!

Green flows mean speeds are at 45 mph or above.  Yellow shows speeds of 45 mph to 30 mph.  And, Red shows 30 mph or under.  If you are seeing a red highlighted highway.. you will probably want to take another route. 

The system allows us to fly around the valley…. it even lets us fly over the California and Arizona border to show traffic conditions.  It really is unique.  Beat the Traffic will help us more accuratley point out traffic conditions.

You can also get this information on the internet… 24 hours a day!  Just click on our traffic page. 

Posted by Dayna Roselli

Yes, they are confusing…. and many of you have written to me expressing your dismay of the "roundabouts" in Summerlin.  Even police agree, they can be confusing at times.  But they also help traffic flow in high traffic areas… that is supposed to be their purpose.

Recently, more signs have been added to the roundabouts… the one a Town Center near Summerlin Hospital now has more clearly marked signs indicating when to yield, etc.

Here is how they work, according to Metro Police:

You need to get over to the right to make a right.  You also need to yield to anyone that is in the right lane before you change.  Or, you should simply go around again until it is safe to change lanes.

Believe it or not… you can actually research a "roundabout" and find a lot of information on it.   Here’s a website that breaks it all down, it might help …. in a roundabout way (joke) !

Posted by Dayna Roselli

Someone wrote me an e-mail and asked about double penalty fines at construction zones.  She wanted to know, if there was nobody working at the site and equipment was off to the side, could she still get a doubled fine if pulled over?

Yes and no.  Here is the law in a nutshell.  If it is a construction zone that poses an additional hazard to the roadway ( for example: lane restrictions or lane shifting) then "yes" you can get the double penalty.  If there are simply just CONES on site… then "no."

I have included the written law below:

At a time when the workers who are performing the construction, maintenance or repair of the highway are present, or when the effects of the act may be aggravated because of the condition of the highway caused by construction, maintenance or repair, including, without limitation, reduction in lane width, reduction in the number of lanes, shifting of lanes from the designated alignment and uneven or temporary surfaces, including, without limitation, modifications to road beds, cement-treated bases, chip seals and other similar conditions,

1. A governmental entity that designates an area as a temporary traffic control zone in which construction, maintenance or repair of a highway is conducted, or the person with whom the governmental entity contracts to provide such service, shall cause to be erected:

(a) A sign located before the beginning of such an area stating "DOUBLE PENALTIES IN WORK ZONES" to indicate a double penalty may be imposed pursuant to this section;

(b) A sign to mark the beginning of the temporary traffic control zone; and

(c) A sign to mark the end of the temporary traffic control zone.

2. A person who otherwise would be subject to an additional penalty pursuant to this section is not relieved of any criminal liability because signs are not erected as required by subsection 3 if the violation results in injury to any person performing highway construction or maintenance in the temporary traffic control zone or in damage to property in an amount equal to $1,000 or more.

Posted by Dayna Roselli