The celebrations are great here in Las Vegas… when it comes to ringing in the new year!  The fireworks, the live music, the confetti…. all of it… mixed together makes a great New Year’s party!

I have received several phone calls and emails about traffic on the strip and the commute in to town from Los Angeles.

Los Angeles drivers should expect delays if they leave ON New Year’s Eve day.  The earlier you leave the better at this point.  When it’s time to return home…. if you can… wait until Wednesday to leave… or leave very early on Tuesday. 

I-15 will close the off ramps in the eastbound direction from Tropicana to Spring Mountain.  No thru traffic will be allowed from Russell to Sahara.  And, Las Vegas Blvd. will also be completely closed from Russell to Sahara starting around 5 p.m.

You can access most parking garages by coming in from the east side.  Try to stay away from garages along Frank Sinatra Drive unless you go early.   Emergency crews will use Frank Sinatra for access to the strip. 

Downtown will be a busy place too… get there early, early, early!

Stay safe! Don’t Drink & Drive! 

 Call 456-RIDE if you need someone to take you home! Designated Drivers will give you and your car a ride home!  Take advantage… don’t risk it!

It’s been a great year!  Let’s hope for a wonderful 2008.  Please… let’s drive safer and be nicer to our fellow drivers on the road!  Can’t we all just get along ?! :)

 Make sure to check out our live coverage of New Year’s Eve… 10 p.m. on Channel 8.  I’ll be live at the Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino.. with a great view! 

 Take Care!

See you in ‘08!  ;)

Traffic Signals are a HOT topic.  I can’t tell you how many times a day I hear, “when are they going to put a traffic signal at so-and-so intersection?”

It’s understandable.  I drive through many intersections that could use a signal.  I guess we just all have to be patient.  The county does these “intersection studies” and if the result doesn’t warrant a signal…. we have to wait until the next study is done… or more development goes up in the area.

 Many times people get upset about “drivers running the four way stop.”  Which yes, is wrong.  But I think we have to remember… it’s not the stop signs that aren’t working… it the driver behind the wheel not following the rules of the road. 

The best bet is to leave extra time.  I know, when I am rushed, I find myself a more careless driver.  I think the roads would be safer, if we weren’t all in a such a hurry!

Okay, now it’s time for ME to tell YOU what’s driving ME crazy!

I am a car driver.  I own a four door sedan.  I love my car… and I enjoy driving it (most of the time.)  But, what really bothers me the most about driving… is driving BEHIND an SUV or Truck.   I hate it!  I can’t see anything in front of me… and it really drives me crazy!   I like to be able to see the road around me and see what lies ahead. 

I experience this every day… and believe me, I know there’s nothing that can be done about it.  No, I am not a Truck and SUV ”Hater” … I just wish I didn’t get stuck behind them so often!  It’s terrible. 

I know many people write to me and express their frustrations with tractor trailers… saying they wish Nevada would have a truck lane like in California.  A lane that is designated for big rigs… so they stay out of the regular traffic lanes.  Nevada has tried to do that in the past… but the Trucker’s Association didn’t allow that to happen. 

Listen, everyone has the right to be out on the road and use the highways as long as they are of age and have the proper licensing.  Just think, if we didn’t have tractor trailers… we wouldn’t have produce, furniture, etc…. delivered to us from out of town.  We need them, and I know many truck drivers work hard, long hours, and it’s a tough job.  I can’t imagine driving one of those big trucks, so I give them credit!

So back to my first point… we all have frustrations… many of you dislike the construction congestion…. ME, I dislike driving behind trucks and SUVs.  I can sit in traffic, as long as I can see in front of me!

That’s my two cents!

So it’s supposed to rain AGAIN this weekend! Can you believe it!?  That means… prepare for possibly a rough late afternoon commute on Thursday (if it hits by then), and a slick one Friday morning. 

Rain is great for our desert… but I also think… it causes a lot of issues on the road.  I know ‘Tis the Season of shopping… so many people like to get out and hit the stores & malls.  Be careful out there.  

DO not follow so close – that’s one of the reasons the valley sees so many accidents when it rains.

 Luckily, it didn’t rain last Sunday for the Las Vegas Marathon and Santa Run on Saturday.  Two great events! I know it caused some traffic closures…. but hopefully you got through okay!  The Marathon was a great success.