Driving-Related Safety Laws Refresher: Cell Phones, Seat Belts, Etc.

As per the Nevada DMV website, here is a quick refresher on some of the major Driving-Related Safety Laws.

Headlights must be used from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise, and whenever conditions make it impossible to see clearly at least 1,000 feet ahead.High beams should not be used within 500 feet of approaching traffic, or 300 feet of trailing traffic.Seat BeltsWith the exception of those under 6 years old, anyone riding in a motor vehicle must wear a safety belt, if the vehicle is required to have safety belts.

Vehicles manufactured in 1970 and newer must be equipped with lap belts and shoulder belts for the front seats.

Child Car Seat Laws

Children who are younger than six or weigh less than 60 pounds must ride in an approved safety restraint system.

Children are generally safest riding in the back seat. In fact, with vehicles containing front seat passenger air bags, infants should always ride in the back seat.

If you don’t properly restrain child passengers, you can be fined, forced to perform community service, and have your license suspended.

Cell Phones and Texting

Texting, accessing the Internet and hand-held cell phone use while driving are illegal throughout the state.

Exceptions to this law include:

• Use of a hands-free headset
• Any person reporting a medical emergency, a safety hazard or criminal activity
• Drivers using a voice-operated navigation system affixed to the vehicle
• Drivers using citizen band or other two-way radios that require a license and have a separate, handheld microphone
• Utility workers responding to an emergency or outage
• Law enforcement personnel, firefighters or emergency medical personnel acting within the scope of their job
• Amateur radio operators providing assistance during an emergency or disaster

Unattended Children

Leaving a child younger than seven in a vehicle without proper supervision (someone at least 12 years old) is considered a misdemeanor, if doing so endangers the child’s health and safety.

The state also considers leaving a child in a situation where physical or mental harm may take place (due to abuse or neglect) to be child endangerment.