SUMMARY--Revises provisions regarding speed limits in school zones and school crossing zones. (BDR 43-854)
FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: No.
Effect on the State or on Industrial Insurance: No.
EXPLANATION - Matter in italics is new; matter in brackets [ ] is material to be omitted.
AN ACT relating to traffic laws; revising the provisions regarding speed limits in school zones and school crossing zones; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
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Section 1 NRS 484.366 is hereby amended to read as follows:
484.366 1. A person shall not drive a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of 15 miles per hour in an area designated as a school zone except:
(a) On a day on which school is not in session;
(b) During the period from a half hour after school is no longer in operation to a half hour before school is next in operation; or
(c) If the zone is designated by an operational speed limit beacon, during the hours when the pupils of the school are in class and the yellow lights of the speed limit beacon are not flashing in the manner which indicates that the speed limit is in effect.
2. A person shall not drive a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of 25 miles per hour in an area designated as a school crossing zone except:
(a) On a day on which school is not in session;
(b) During the period from a half hour after school is no longer in operation to a half hour before school is next in operation; or
(c) If the zone is designated by an operational speed limit beacon, during the hours when the pupils of the school are in class and the yellow lights of the speed limit beacon are not flashing in the manner which indicates that the speed limit is in effect.
3. The governing body of a local government or the department of transportation shall designate school zones and school crossing zones. An area must not be designated as a school zone if imposing a speed limit of 15 miles per hour would be unsafe because of higher speed limits in adjoining areas.
4. Each such governing body and the department shall provide signs to mark the beginning and end of each school zone and school crossing zone which it respectively designates.
5. For the purposes of the designation of a speed limit in a school zone or school crossing zone by a sign which limits the force and effect of the speed limit to those periods during which children are present, a child is considered present when he is located within a marked crosswalk in the zone or within 300 feet of the boundaries of a marked crosswalk in the zone.
6. As used in this section, "speed limit beacon" means a device which is used in conjunction with a sign and equipped with two or more yellow lights that flash alternately to indicate when the speed limit in a school zone or school crossing zone is in effect.
Sec. 2. NRS 484.3665 is hereby amended to read as follows:
484.3665 1. Each permanent sign which designates a school zone and the speed limit in that zone must be generally uniform in size and color and must clearly designate the hours during which or the circumstances in which the speed limit applies.
2. Each portable sign designating a school zone and the speed limit in the zone must be generally uniform in size and color. A portable sign may be placed beside a roadway only during those hours when pupils are arriving at and leaving regularly scheduled school sessions.
3. This section does not prohibit the use of automatic traffic-control devices in school zones in lieu of permanent or portable signs.
Sec. 3. NRS 268.425 is hereby amended to read as follows:
268.425 The city council or other governing body of each incorporated city, whether incorporated by general or special act, shall cause to be displayed, in each school zone and school crossing zone where the city has posted a speed limit, signs or other devices designating the hours [of the day or night or both] during which or the circumstances in which the speed limit in the zone is to apply.
Sec. 4. NRS 269.185 is hereby amended to read as follows:
269.185 1. 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 hours [of the day or night or both] during which or the circumstances in which the speed limit in the zone is to apply.
Sec. 5. This act becomes effective on July 1, 1997.