Failure to signal when driving a motor vehicle in Nevada can result in a traffic ticket which carries the penalties of a fine and demerit points. Whether in Las Vegas or some other area within the state, drivers must use the appropriate signal before making a turn or changing lanes.
Drivers who fail to do so can be charged with a misdemeanor moving violation. With the assistance of a qualified attorney, a failure to signal charge may be dismissed or at least reduced to a non-moving violation, which will prevent the DMV from issuing demerit points against your driver’s license.
Failure to signal when driving a motor vehicle in Nevada can result in a traffic ticket which carries the penalties of a fine and demerit points.
Can I Get a Traffic Ticket in Las Vegas, Nevada for Failure to Signal?
Penalties for Failure to Signal in Las Vegas, Nevada
Getting a Failure to Use a Turn Signal Charge in Las Vegas, Nevada, Lowered to a Non-Moving Violation
DMV Demerit Points against Nevada Driver’s License
Fighting a Failure to Use a Turn Signal Traffic Ticket in Las Vegas, Nevada
A Failure to Use a Turn Signal Charge and Insurance Rates
Nevada Traffic School and a Failure to Signal Traffic Ticket
Issues Affecting Nevada Commercial Driver’s License
Issues Affecting Out-of-State Licenses
Is This a Deportable Offense?
Sealing Your Conviction
Fighting the Ticket versus Paying the Fine
Possibility for Trial
Should I Get an Attorney?
Can I Sue Another Driver Who Does Not Signal and Causes an Accident?
Can I Get a Traffic Ticket in Las Vegas, Nevada for Failure to Signal?
You might know them as blinkers or indicator lights, but turn signals must be used any time you make a turn or change lanes in Las Vegas and other regions across the state of Nevada. Whether you are in a business district, residential area, or wide-open highway, these rules must be followed.
When you are in a residential or business district, at least 100 feet prior to turning or changing lanes you must use your turn signal. If you are on the highway or open road area, you must activate your blinkers at least 300 feet prior to changing lanes or turning off of the road. Drivers changing lanes or turning must be sure that it is safe to do so. When pedestrians may be impacted because you are turning or changing lanes, you are required to honk your horn to notify potential pedestrians of your intent. Drivers must also use appropriate signals when slowing down or stopping abruptly to give other drivers enough notice to prevent a collision.
Failure to Signal Traffic Ticket Las Vegas, Nevada
Penalties for Failure to Signal in Las Vegas, Nevada
The amount of the fine you will have to pay for a failure to signal traffic ticket can vary between cities and counties within the state of Nevada. In the city of Las Vegas, the fine is $205. Because this traffic offense is considered to be a misdemeanor, you could actually face fines of up to $1,000 and may even face up to six months in jail. However, this is such a minor traffic matter that it is very rare for judges to issue such harsh penalties.
Getting a Failure to Use a Turn Signal Charge in Las Vegas, Nevada, Lowered to a Non-Moving Violation
You have a good chance of getting your ticket knocked down to a lesser violation of failure to use your turn signal in Las Vegas and other areas of Nevada.
DMV Demerit Points against Nevada Driver’s License
A failure to signal misdemeanor traffic violations will result in the DMV issuing one demerit point against your driver’s license. While one point may not seem like much, it will remain on your license for a full year. If you acquire 12 or more demerit points from the DMV at any given time, your driver’s license could be suspended for six months. You may request a hearing with the DMV to contest this suspension. If you drive while your license is suspended, you can face fines of $1,000 and up to six months in jail. A good way to avoid demerit points from the DMV on your license is to obtain legal counsel with a skilled attorney. A lawyer might be able to reduce your potential penalties, even preventing points from being added to our license.
Fighting a Failure to Use a Turn Signal Traffic Ticket in Las Vegas, Nevada
You can hire a knowledgeable attorney to help you to fight your traffic ticket charges. A good defense could mean dismissal or at least a reduction in the charge. While it is unlikely that charges will be dismissed completely, there is a chance if there were any eyewitnesses, photographs, or video surveillance to show that the driver did indeed turn on his or her blinkers prior to making a lane change or turning off of the roadway.
One defense that a Las Vegas attorney can use to get a dismissal or reduction of the citation for your moving violation would be if there were no other drivers or pedestrians on the road. You are still required to use your turn signals prior to changing lanes or turning, even if no one else is around. However, you do not have to signal if you are slowing down or coming to a stop quickly when no other motorists are behind you on the road. Likewise, you do not have to honk your horn when no pedestrians are around that could be affected by your changing lanes or turning. If you got a ticket for a violation in one of these situations, it is likely that your attorney could have the citation completely dismissed.
When turning or changing lanes suddenly out of safety and necessity, such as to avoid an accident, the citation may be dropped if you acted in a reasonable manner and can prove that you had no time to use a turn signal prior to making your move.
Failure to Signal Lane Change Traffic Ticket
A Failure to Use a Turn Signal Charge and Insurance Rates
All moving violations carry the risk of raising your insurance rates. This is generally based on how many demerit points are issued by the DMV for each charge. If your attorney can get the charges lowered to a non-moving violation, your insurance rates will not be affected.
Nevada Traffic School and a Failure to Signal Traffic Ticket
In most cases, the judge will not order traffic school for such a minor offense whether you are in Las Vegas or another area of the state. However, attending a traffic school can help to remove one demerit point from your license, or it can be a good faith option that may cause the judge to reduce the charge at your hearing.
Issues Affecting Nevada Commercial Driver’s License
If you are cited for failing to use a turn signal, one demerit point will be added to your personal driver’s license and one to your CDL, no matter which vehicle you were driving at the time of the offense. You will be required to notify your employer of the ticket within 30 days of issuance.
There is a greater issue to be faced if you have a CDL. It is considered a serious offense if you make erratic or otherwise improper lane changes, and two serious offenses in a three-year time frame can result in a suspension of your CDL for 60 days. If you have a third serious offense in three years, your CDL may be suspended for 120 days.
Issues Affecting Out-of-State Licenses
You will most likely face similar penalties regarding demerit points issued by the DMV in your state. However, it is important to discuss the matter with a dependable attorney in your home state who has experience with out-of-state tickets to be on the safe side.
Is This a Deportable Offense?
While traffic misdemeanors are typically not a reason for deportation, it is important for you to protect your residence status by discussing the matter with an attorney. This is especially important if you are an undocumented immigrant. The laws are always changing, so it is difficult to know what types of offenses may be grounds for deportation in the future.
Failure to Signal Ticket Las Vegas, Nevada
Sealing Your Conviction
You will have to wait for a period of one year after your case is closed to have your record of the charges sealed. However, if the case gets dismissed, you do not have to wait.
Fighting the Ticket versus Paying the Fine
A misdemeanor moving violation may seem like a minor offense, so you may be tempted just to pay the fine to get it over with. However, since your insurance rates can be affected and demerit points can add up rather quickly, it stands to reason you might be better served by working with an attorney to fight your charges.
Possibility for Trial
While you would not be eligible for a jury trial for a traffic misdemeanor of this type, you could have a bench trial if you would like. However, with the assistance of an attorney, you may get a reduction of your charges or a dismissal of your case without having a trial at all.
Should I Get an Attorney?
While you are certainly able to represent yourself, a knowledgeable attorney knows how to work with the prosecution to work out deals. Also, having an attorney to represent you could mean that you do not have to take off of work or make arrangements if you are out of state as your lawyer can be there on your behalf. Special attorney sessions are held twice a week to handle traffic matters, meaning your case can be handled fairly quickly.
Can I Sue Another Driver Who Does Not Signal and Causes an Accident?
If you were injured or your property damaged by such an accident, you could take the other party to court and sue for damages. You would want to use what is called a negligence per se claim, which makes it easier for the judge to find the other driver guilty of the charge. You could be eligible for payment for injuries, property damage, medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Failure to Signal Ticket Las Vegas, NV
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FREE Consultation for Traffic Tickets
Have you received a traffic citation for failure to signal while driving in Nevada? Our attorneys at Fix Your Tickets can help you get tickets reduced or even thrown out. For a FREE consultation contact Traffic Ticket Lawyer Las Vegas Bennair Bateman at 702-747-4444. In many cases, we can get your traffic tickets reduced to a non-moving violation or dismissed with no need for traffic school, and zero demerit points on your driving record.
Need to speak with a Traffic Accident Attorney?
Have you suffered an injury because of a traffic accident in Nevada? If so, you may be owed damages. Contact our Las Vegas attorneys to discuss your ability to win compensation to pay for your lost earnings, loss of future wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.