Oh boy, we knew it would come eventually, and it’s probably not such a bad idea.  Banning texting while driving in Nevada.  It seems far fetched, since we don’t have a cell phone law here… or even a primary seatbelt law! 

Here is the story that came out Monday 12/22/08:

MOST OF US HAVE EITHER DONE IT OR SEEN SOMEONE DOING IT… TEXTING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD.  NOW THE REVIEW JOURNAL REPORTS STATE SENATOR SHIRLEY BREEDEN IS GOING TO PROPOSE A BILL AT THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO OUTLAW TEXTING WHILE DRIVING.

20 PERCENT OF DRIVERS ADMIT TO HAVE TEXTED WHILE BEHIND THE WHEEL.

TEXTING — EVEN TALKING ON A CELL PHONE… WITHOUT USING A HEADSET… IS ALREADY AGAINST THE LAW IN CALIFORNIA.

Well, what do you think?  Driving while texting is dangerous, period.  But, should it be a state law? 

Police tell me they don’t even consider it texting anymore.  They consider it “being under the influence.”  They say it’s THAT dangerous!   Some argue that driving and eating should be agains the law then… or driving and talking on your cell phone… etc. etc. 

Would you like to see texting and driving against the law?

I have lived in Las Vegas for almost 5 years now, and I am wondering, is it just me or has traffic improved here?

I feel like when I first moved here in April of 2004 the traffic and amount of accidents threw me.  It could be because my first job here was in the helicopter, and maybe I saw a lot more accidents from the sky then I do on the ground.  I was also involved in an accident.  Someone ran a red light and hit my husband and I at Tropicana and Decatur.  My car was totaled.  

But, when I drive around now, I feel less frightened.  I see less accidents.  I think the timing of the lights are better.  

Is it just me? 

The only other thing I can think of… is that maybe I have become a better driver.  Seeing all these terrible accidents and being involved in one myself helped me drive more defensively.   I am very aware when I drive ( I always have been, but maybe I am even more now). 

Tell me what you think!

I have reported on the law when it comes to changing lanes in an intersection a few times now.  Every time I do, people are amazed at what I say. 

I have had phone calls from people asking me to email them what I said on the air, so they can show their friends.    They say nobody believes them.

I also had a woman tell me I gave her “wrong information” about the law and that she ended up choosing the wrong answer on her on DMV test. 

 Here’s the deal.  It is NOT a good idea to change lanes in the middle of an intersection.  And the DMV Handbook (which is a guide to safe driving) suggests that you don’t do it.

 However, there is NO law that says you can’t.  So you can.  If you do it safe.  If you don’t do it safely, then…….. you could get a ticket. 

Or, if you cause an accident, you could be at fault.

 Believe me, I have checked my facts and confirmed more than once with Metro Police on this.  

 That being said.  If you have a question on your DMV test that says, “can you change lanes in the middle of the intersection?”  I guess the answer is NO, because that’s what the DMV handbook says.  Because it wants you to drive safe.

I hope this all makes sense.  Post your questions and I can try sort it out if you don’t understand

   Those Dynamic Message Signs that you have seen on the I-15 and other highways around the valley are finally started to get you the information you want. 

We have already seen construction information posted, amber alerts, and detours… but now, you will see travel times.

The travel times will be posted on the signs between the 215 Beltway and Spaghetti Bowl.  The times  are estimates only.  

You will see the travel times posted between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.  

There are 17 Dynamic Message Signs in the valley right now, hopefully, the others will eventually show travel times too.

Remember, the Valley highways don’t have sensors like other big cities.  Those sensors help read the speeds of the traffic to show slow downs and traffic speeds.   We have to rely on other resources.  

Here at Channel 8, we use Beat the Traffic.  This system takes data from a number of resources and calculates it to show the current speeds.   We show green flows for normal moving traffic…. yellow for somewhat slow traffic… and red for major congestion. 

We also have calculated travel times to help you before you leave your home or work.  All the information is also online here on our traffic page.

Hopefully, all this will help make your lives easier! 

I covered a “What’s Driving You Crazy” question today that has everyone talking!  Someone asked me when the new Lake Mead & 215 interchange is going to open.  Well, I found out, it will be done in about 2 weeks…. but, it won’t open. 

There is a verbal agreement between Public Works, the County Commissioners, the city of Las Vegas, and Sun City residents.   The county says it was agreed that the interchange would stay closed until the Summerlin Parkway interchange opens in 2010.  Sun City residents were very vocal about this.  This was decided about 10 years ago during public meetings about this project.

Unless the county hears otherwise, the interchange will sit there…. finished… for two years.

Click here to view a story by our neighborhood guide reporter.

What do you think?

I’m sure there are two sides here.  I am curious to hear both sides! 

Hoover Dam Bypass 3

Hoover Dam Bypass 2

Hoover Dam Bypass 

Hey Everyone, check out these pictures I took of the Hoover Dam Bridge under construction.  I took them on July 6th.  It’s really coming along and amazing to see.  This is going to be SO helpful to drivers that want to cross to or from Arizona. 

You may remember when the wind blew so strong, it knocked one of the construction cranes over.  That delayed the project, but now it’s full steam ahead. 

This is going to have a major affect on traffic here.  The current path is one way in each direction once you get close the Dam and it just is not enough to handle the traffic.   You mix visitors with tourists wanting to actually pull over and see this magnificent Dam and it’s just too much. 

You look up at that bridge though, and wonder, how will they build the crossover piece!  Each side is done, but the center is missing.  We all know, it’s coming, and I can’t wait to watch it happen!

California is now hands free!  The new law took place July 1st.   And YES, it applies to you too once you enter the state of California.   Nevada does not have this law yet.

I moved here from Upstate New York and I lived there when the cell phone law was implemented years ago.  It all seemed crazy at first, but let me tell you, it is much safer.  And don’t think for a second that police won’t pull you over if they see you holding that phone to your ear.  I have a long list of friends who have been fined for doing so.  

(more…)

I usually just pull up and fill up.  But… I must say, lately, I too am noticing and hesitating when it comes to filling up my tank. 

Recently, talked about our high school graduation year on our morning show.  I graduated in 1993.   This prompted me to search and see what gas prices were back then.  I couldn’t believe what I saw!  The price fluctuated from like 99 cents to $1.10 — this shocked me! 

Can you imagine???  A buck to fill up!?  How great would that be!? 

It costs me about 50 dollars to fill up these days.  And I have a 4-dour sedan.  I dread filling up now.  I think to myself as I fill up and watch the numbers roll higher, “there goes the cost of my monthly gym membership, plus my favorite wrap from tropical smoothies, and that magazine I like to buy, oh and the movie I wanted to see this week!”

But then again, I guess I wouldn’t get to any of those things if I coulnd’t drive there… so then I calm down. 

We are inching toward $4.00 right now.

Did you see that gas giveaway? The lines of cars down Flamingo waiting for a chance at a free tank of gas.

CLICK HERE to see the video and read the story, it’s amazing how many people lined up for that!  I did find it entertaining to watch.  Especially the people that pushed their cars into the gas station!  I understand it caused quite a traffic mess though… which was probably frustrating for people who were not in line.

This video shows how much people are in need of something FREE right now.

I hope we can all get through this.  

I know there are ways to save on gas.  ( i.e. by using your Vons card, buying a certain amount of products from the gas station store, etc.)  But feel free to share your tips with everyone… the more we know… the more we save!

Someone posted a comment on my blog about something I recently covered.    It’s called “due care.” 

What it means is that drivers must use care when driving, and if they don’t… they can be responsible for breaking the law or the cause of an accident.

I recently went out with the North Las Vegas Police and watched them give out warnings to drivers at the intersection of Cheyenne & Losee.   It was unbelievable!!  Laws broken every minute, literally!  Many of them blamed on drivers not using due care.

For example:

Yes, you can use the shoulder area if the road is wide enough and there is not a painted line… BUT you can’t go speeding southbound down Losee passing everyone as you try to get to the light at Cheyenne.  You must use due care.  Take it slow, watch for other vehicles and drive defensively.  That–  is due care.

 If you were to look up due care it would say:  the care that a reasonable man would exercise under the circumstances.

Shouldn’t we all use Due Care? I think it would make our roads much safer

I have returned from a trip to Cabo, Mexico.  It was fun.  The sun, the pool, etc. etc.  But I did notice our shuttle drivers went a little too fast, boy it was scary! 

Cabo is building up more and more. I bet that place explodes in like 10 years.  More and more resorts are going up along the beach.  It’s a beautiful place.  And it seems like the sun is always shining! 

There are not many roadways.  Mostly a main road, then several small ones.  The main road is crazy though! I can only imagine there are some nasty accidents on that road if two vehicles hit head on.

We talked with our shuttle driver quite a bit on the way back. He says gas prices are up there too, slightly, but not only is that causing a headache, the quality of gas there is bad too.  He says he can totally feel a difference in the way his vehicles drive.  Especially the vans and SUV’s they use for airport transportation. 

He joked and said when he fills up, he doesn’t know whether to pump it in his car or drink it!   Oh boy.

I would definitley recommend Cabo though.   If you take Mexicana airlines you can get a nonstop flight both ways.  You do need a passport.  But the flight is only 2 1/2 hours! 

Book a shuttle ahead of time to get you to and from the airport.  Make sure to ignore the people trying to sell you time shares, and if you stay near Cabo San Lucas plan a half hour shuttle ride to your resort.  Most likely your resort will have everthing you are looking for!  You can even get an all inclusive package so you never have to leave! 

If you travel into town, it will cost you about 15 dollars for a cab ride.  You can pretty much make a deal with the driver on what you are willing to pay.  There are many different restaurants down there.  Plan ahead though, it’s easier knowing where you want to go.   It’s such a quick and easy trip for those of us that live in Southern Nevada.  

And the best part,  it’s cheap!

 Just make sure to buckle up in the cab and on those shuttle rides!!!