What Are the I-15 Express Lane Rules in Las Vegas, Nevada?
At Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen, our Las Vegas, Nevada auto accident attorneys use the I-15 express lanes that run parallel to the Las Vegas Strip each day as we travel between Sahara Avenue to Silverado Ranch Boulevard.
In Clark County, the express lanes are separated from the general-purpose lanes by double solid white lines and are designed to provide consistent travel, with limited stops and exit opportunities during use. Although the speed limits in the express lanes are the same as the general-purpose lanes, transit is improved by only allowing drivers to enter and exit the express lanes only in designated areas.
What Are the Benefits of Using the Las Vegas I-15 Express Lanes?
The Las Vegas, Nevada express lanes expedite traffic in the most congested areas of I-15 by designating lanes where drivers cannot enter or exit the express lanes unless doing so within the allocated areas marked with dotted white lines.
The benefits of the express lane design and travel options provide:
- Improved mobility and reduced congestion
- Increased safety and fewer vehicle accidents
- Improved travel time and increased travel efficiency
While most Las Vegas residents understand how the express lanes work, tourists and convention visitors add approximately 42 million visitors to our city each year. These visitors arrive from all over the United States, and from around the world, which means some — if not a majority — are unfamiliar with our city’s express lane rules, which can lead to severe traffic collisions.
When a vehicle crash occurs in our Las Vegas express lanes, there is more than traffic congestion at stake. Express lanes are typically moving at a consistent pace, which can cause severe pile-ups that lead to severe injuries.
What If I Use the Express Lanes Improperly?
If drivers unintentionally enter the I-15 express lanes, they must stay in the express lanes until they see a dotted double white line indicating that they can legally cross over into the general-purpose lanes. This means drivers cannot exit from the I-15 express lanes onto Tropicana Avenue, Flamingo Road, or Spring Mountain Road, which are some of the most popular roads in Las Vegas.
Not knowing the rules can cost more than the minimum $190 fine the Las Vegas Police Department will undoubtedly hand over when drivers are caught illegally crossing the double solid white lines.
Improper Express Lane Use in Las Vegas Can Lead to More Than Fines
When drivers are traveling in designated express lanes in Las Vegas, commuters in the general-purpose lanes are not expecting traffic to exit the lane in unauthorized areas, and when they do serious traffic collisions can occur.
Even the most defensive driver can simply take for granted that the express lane traffic will abide by the rules designated for their travel. When a single interruption in the express lane traffic flow occurs, pile-ups can lead to serious injuries including back and neck injuries, brain injuries, burn injuries, and even wrongful death.
Las Vegas drivers must contend with other residents commuting habits, and when traffic is interrupted by visitors in rental cars, the accident scene can become convoluted, as local drivers worry about who is going to pay for their damages and injuries.
Injured parties should never have to pay for their medical treatment, lost wages, and additional expenses out of pocket. The negligent driver must be held accountable for their lack of care, and responsible for the financial recovery of the injured party.
Our Las Vegas auto accident attorneys at Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen can help.
Contact Our Express Lane Car Accident Attorneys in Las Vegas, Nevada Today
If you have been hurt in a vehicle accident while traveling in a Las Vegas express lane, contact our Las Vegas, Nevada injury attorneys today by calling (702) 505-8115 to schedule an initial consultation to learn more about your legal options, and how Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen can help you pursue the financial recovery you deserve.