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Adrienne Packer | ROAD WARRIOR
'Badges on Board' nabs reckless drivers
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PHOTOS By ADRIENNE PACKER/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Nevada Highway Patrol Sgt. Michael Branch radios a trooper from a big rig after seeing a speeding motorist on Interstate 15. On Wednesday, Branch oversaw the "Badges on Board" program, which is designed to teach motorists to drive more safely around semi-trucks. For three days recently, a dozen troopers were stationed along Interstate 15 as a flat-bed tractor trailer cruised north and south. » Buy this photo
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• On Audrie Street, north and southbound lanes will be reduced Monday and Tuesday from 4 a.m. to noon. All westbound lanes on Flamingo Road between the Strip and Via Del Nord will be closed between 4 a.m. and noon June 1-3.
• Northbound and southbound lanes are reduced on Koval Lane between Flamingo Road and Winnick Avenue. Construction hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Westbound lanes on Flamingo are reduced from Las Vegas Boulevard to the Interstate 15 northbound access ramp.
• Valley View Boulevard is reduced to one travel lane in each direction, between Alta Drive and Fulton Place. The traffic changes, which will be in place until September, are necessary as part of the Oakey Meadows Regional Storm Drainage System Improvement Project. Construction hours are weekdays between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., but traffic restrictions will be in effect 24 hours a day.
• Traffic lane restrictions are in effect on Durango Drive, between Cheyenne Avenue and Alexander Road, as part of a roadway maintenance and sidewalk improvement project. • Similar work is being done on Alexander Road, between Cimarron Road and U.S. Highway 95. This will cause lane restrictions in work zones for the next two months.
• Expect disruptions on Arville Street at Sahara Avenue until June 5 because of cable work. The same type of work also will cause delays on Durango Drive at Sahara until June 4.
• Lane restrictions are in place on Craig Road at Tenaya Way because of water and road projects.
• Lane restrictions continue on Lamb Boulevard between Harris and Washington avenues as crews wrap up water, power and paving projects. Also on Lamb, between Charleston Boulevard and Owens Avenue, a paving project will continue through September.
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
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A camera affixed to the console in the big rig videotapes the scene in front of the truck. Nevada Highway Patrol Sgt. Michael Branch says the footage is used if motorists decide to appeal their citations. PHOTO By ADRIENNE PACKER/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL » Buy this photo
It's never a bright idea to tear down the freeway at 97 mph when Nevada Highway Patrol trucks are stationed at every other exit. Simply because they are called "express" lanes doesn't mean motorists are allowed to speed and, believe it, troopers do hear that as an excuse.
It's also trouble if you are, say, a limousine driver who flies onto the interstate and sweeps across three lanes in front of an NHP trooper without once using a turn signal.
Such behavior will illicit responses like this from Sgt. Eric Kemmer: "This guy is driving around in a limousine like it's a race car." The comment is followed by flicking on those dreaded blue and red lights, which eventually is met with this response from the limo driver: "I'm shocked you're giving me a ticket."
Dozens of motorists were shocked last week when the Nevada Highway Patrol conducted another sting operation as part of its "Badges on Board" program. The somewhat controversial program, which is funded by federal grants, targets motorists who drive recklessly around big rigs.
For three days, a dozen troopers were stationed along Interstate 15 as a flat-bed tractor trailer cruised north and south. Seasoned trucker Bob Barton and NHP Sgt. Michael Branch kept watch on motorists' misdeeds around the truck, then radioed the troopers on standby.
Troopers scribbled hundreds of citations, including illegal lane changes, failure to signal, speed, aggressive driving and following too closely. Dozens were handed "crossing the gore" citations, to which many drivers said, "Huh?"
The "gore" violations are likely the type of tickets that make the public leery of such a program and help promote claims that it's a scam designed to generate an extra few thousand bucks for the state.
Motorists ticketed for the offense Wednesday crossed the solid white line that separates exiting traffic from vehicles continuing forward on the freeway. It's illegal to drive over those lines, which drivers learned the hard way.
In all honesty, it appeared most of the citations were written for violations that could conceivably be viewed as dangerous maneuvers that might cause an ugly accident.
Several motorists pulled directly in front of the troopers' flatbed truck as traffic ahead slowed. Not a good idea because it takes a tractor-trailer a football field's length to stop if it's traveling 55 mph.
"You always keep an escape route in mind," Barton explained as one of the things he keeps in mind while driving a truck. "It's not a matter of if someone is going to do something stupid, it's when they're going to do something stupid."
There are also hazardous moves that are not citable offenses. Maybe we've all been in a position where we're driving along and a trucker changes lane and encroaches on our space, leaving us with two options, hit the brakes or scoot over -- fast.
I always thought the truckers were being obnoxious, and I'm not totally convinced I'm wrong. But Barton, who is a nice enough guy, said truck drivers can't see cars lingering near the tail end of their trailers. The rule of thumb to keep in mind is if you can't see the driver in his side-mirror, he can't see you either.
Opponents of the national program believe the troopers are just picking on drivers and that truckers also make stupid moves. The highway patrol said it targets both truckers and motorists.
Having witnessed the program firsthand, there is no doubt these troopers are aggressive in nailing anybody who does anything illegal on the road in front of them.
You feel sorry for the couple from Arizona who was exiting at Charleston Boulevard and probably realized at the last second that's not where they wanted to go. They were ticketed for cruising over the gore.
You could easily argue that this whole thing probably isn't great for tourism, and it certainly creates financial hardships -- penalties are determined by the court -- for locals during a tough economy. On the flip side, it's tough to ignore the numbers. In 2008, there were 617 accidents involving semi-trucks in Nevada; 56 percent were caused by unsafe passenger vehicle maneuvers.
Another fact to remember: When there are fatalities, more than 70 percent of the time, it's someone in the passenger vehicle.
Whether you're for or against the way the "Badges on Board" campaign is handled, you have to consider it probably does make all of us be a little smarter on the freeways. Unless of course you're the guy who was doing nearly 100 mph past six NHP troopers. I'm not sure there's a whole lot of hope for him.
If you have a question, tip or tirade, call Adrienne Packer at 702-387-2904, or send an e-mail to roadwarrior@reviewjournal .com. Please include your phone number.
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The level of silliness here about valid tickets is incredible.
I see people in commercial taxi's and limos driving aggressively and using threatening driving techniques all the time. Weaving in and out and hogging lanes as well as veering across 3 lanes to an exit.
The next group that drives poorly have CA license plates. They drive as if they were either stunned by a blow to the head and are driving 15 miles below the speed limit OR racing to get somewhere to save a life.
Yay for the cops give them tickets all....
The traffic ticket tax program sounds like a success!
Well done.
I would think it safe to say that the ticket lawyers are also having a good day.
While they are playing tag with motorists, trucks and limos.....the WORST offenders are the cab drivers. They are notorious for MULTIPLE lane changes and cutting off traffic. How about "tagging" a few of them in the program??
It is really simple. You break the law, you suffer the consequences. You don't like the consequences, GET OUT!!!
Well where the hell are these cops??? I drive in excess of 100 mph daily on the 15 and the beltway, have only been stopped once, got written up for 70+ in a 60. Plead it down to a parking ticket and paid the $191.00 fine. I have been driving like this since I moved to Las Vegas in 96.
On the radar tickets though, I wonder how many people get stuck with the tickets because they don't fight them. Per NRS radar is only to be used to verify ones visual observations. Do as I do and mount video cameras in your vehicle. The cost is rapidly recovered when the video shows the coppers sitting with their backs to traffic. How could they honestly state in a court of law that the observed you speeding and then verified that observation with radar. Cops are criminals and it is time to turn the tide against them by debunking the myth that they are flawless. They Lie, Steal, Cheat and do whatever is necessary to be the best damn revenue generator that they were hired to be. Drive Fast, Never Surrender. And oh yeah, drive a vehicle that will outrun those highpowered police interceptor deathtraps that the coppers drive. I do and it has been money well spent over the years. 30,000 miles a year, much of it on the open road, even the 15 and 215, at speeds at or above, and at times way above 100mph. I really love blasting through Hootertuckey since the Hootertuckey Cops seem to really get the panties in a wad when you blow past them.
Drive your vehicle like ya stole it. it's fun and gets you there much faster. Just watch out for moving obstacle's. Like that flat bed truck NPH rides in.
it isn't called entrapment. they are entitled to use whatever measures neccessary to make sure the roadways are safe. that includes parked in dark areas at night in a dark police vehicle (went through that one myself) and behind signs or heavy brush (watched that one on my way to california). the speed limit is 65mph. that is just the way it is. if someone was dragging their feet for the majority of your travels, and you're going to be late, driving like a a$$hat isn't going to make up for it...especially when they are pulling you over to give you a ticket and know you are late somewhere.
plan ahead people. got a super fast ride? take it out to the speedway and run it on the track. there are a few givens in life, and some involve tickets:
never pass a bathroom
never trust a fart
something is only worth what someone will pay for it
a car is only as fast as the speed limit allows you to drive it
if you are indoors and there is screaming, you are either at a daycare, your own home, or a walmart.
just do the speed limit. oh, and no one is vin diesel or paul walker. life is not a movie set, get over yourselves. your minivan isn't going to do some hot maneuvers, neither fast, nor furious. get past your mid life crisis, and move on.