METRO REMINDS MOTORISTS TO MOVE VEHICLES
539 views · Published 1 June 2009 · 2:09 · Indexed 20 September 2026
Channel: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police · 2009 · News & Politics
Metro is reminding all valley motorists that under certain conditions vehicles involved in minor traffic collisions should be moved off of the roadway while waiting on investigating officers to arrive. In 2007 the Nevada State Legislature clarified the existing language of NRS 484.221 in an attempt to reduce accident induced traffic congestion. To fit the criteria of vehicles which should be moved three conditions must be satisfied: 1. It must be a property damage only [non-injury] accident, 2. The vehicles must actually be obstructing traffic, and 3. The vehicles must be capable of being SAFELY moved. Motorists must first ensure there are no injuries to anyone involved prior to making the decision to move the vehicles. If that and the other conditions are satisfied, the vehicles should be moved to the closest safe location to the accident scene. The drivers must remain there, with the vehicles, while awaiting the arrival of officers. If the vehicles are moved following the initial notification to Law Enforcement, the updated location of the vehicles should be relayed to Police Dispatch as soon as practical so arriving officers can locate the vehicles and their drivers. Drivers who move their vehicles under these conditions will NOT be cited for leaving the scene of an accident. Additionally, motorists who elect not to move their vehicles will NOT be cited for failure to do so. A previous study conducted by the Florida Department of Transportation disclosed several facts from that state: • As much as 54% of overall traffic congestion could be attributed to traffic accidents or incidents, • Between 13 and 33 % of all accidents were the result of earlier accidents, • If one lane of a three lane roadway was blocked by an accident, the overall capacity of the roadway was reduced by 50%, and • For each minute a travel lane is blocked, up to five minutes of traffic congestion is created on that roadway. On June 13th, 2009 Metro will begin a 90 day monitoring period to track the reduction on traffic congestion caused by moving vehicles which have been involved in minor accidents. Police call takers and non-investigating officers who come upon minor accident scenes will ask motorists a series of questions to determine if the criteria for movement of the vehicles is met. If so, the motorists will be reminded of their ability to move the vehicles in compliance with state law.
