[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6332496,"mediaKeyId","2307031-9ac621c62bcc53fcc57f475b8319a55f","parentId",2307031,"title","Nevada advisory committee lists 10 traffic‑safety priorities, adds DUI intervention program","audioSeconds",499,"startMs",211000,"endMs",710000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2307031-9ac621c62bcc53fcc57f475b8319a55f&start=211&end=710","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2307031-9ac621c62bcc53fcc57f475b8319a55f/thumbnail_211000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6332496/Nevada/Nevada-advisory-committee-lists-10-trafficsafety-priorities-adds-DUI-intervention-program","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332496-db7a958d20e2c624755ed4edb4f49d71/orig.mp4?Expires=1770506502&Signature=J-CX~Q~vo5niOb2p9JkqLuov0aBS8E20XGP8pEWXgb~WXtgpz9KroLYVlh2NiyzHu~BjPeWBMIwnwbhgg-1buRMvK0q56kCA4gS~3tRdqbpRdk6k6DaEG2O0amevow7BWebq9I3EmFqgZ7ICRBPnGTUJLs8yOl72SvGrGVIywDS5KMSaJbnvamD82xJ7xSZVy2N~HwduepATlS5LrlDH3kFNyTP2y3XNXjxzXA5fwKDOfSuAYHM7o9iVyjNGoexkVUhbcshHV-K4fSITQ16-FcxEdz9ATYeRXxsVBz3aJGEYZONrKtxRlNSxzHKN2aPN9P7tcEuMl6vhvttFlZQt0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nevada Legislature","date","2025-02-12T00:00:00Z","article","The Nevada Advisory Committee on Traffic Safety presented its annual report and policy priorities to the Senate Committee on Growth and Infrastructure on March 1, 2025, urging a mix of legislative changes and jurisdictional actions to reduce traffic fatalities statewide.

The committee’s vice chair, Julia Peek, deputy administrator for the Division of Public and Behavioral Health, said the group, known as NVAC, compiles data and best practices and produces a public annual report for the governor and the Legislative Counsel Bureau. “We spend our meetings reviewing data, best practices to address traffic safety, and policies that may positively impact traffic safety in Nevada,” Peek said.

NVAC chair Andrew Bennett, director of the Clark County Office of Traffic Safety, told senators the committee now includes “over 20 member agencies” and that its work supports statewide policy recommendations and local implementation. Bennett said NVAC has a current list of 10 safety priorities and that the committee recently added a policy priority focused on a Fostering DUI Interventions Program to improve screening and treatment for people who may be driving under the influence.

Why it matters: Nevada’s traffic‑fatality rate has risen even as travel and population have increased. NVAC officials said the committee relies on multiple datasets and producing policy guidance helps state and local agencies coordinate countermeasures, from roadway design changes to enforcement and public education.

Key priorities and details
- Automated enforcement and school‑zone cameras: Bennett described “road safety cameras” as proven technology and listed advancing automated enforcement statewide and focused deployment in school zones as top priorities. He said the committee prefers the neutral term “road safety cameras.”
- School‑zone fines and crossings: NVAC recommends clarifying what constitutes higher fines in school zones and addressing both painted and implied crosswalks; Bennett told Senator Pizzina the change would apply “for both painted crosswalks and implied crosswalks.”
- Primary seatbelt law: Bennett said Nevada is “one of the 15 states that currently still does not have” a primary seatbelt law and listed adopting primary enforcement as a committee priority.
- Young‑driver policies and pedestrian safety: NVAC identified changes to young‑driver processes and pedestrian rules — noting Nevada is currently a “yield” state for pedestrians — as policy areas for review. The committee said some states have moved from a yield standard to one requiring drivers to stop for pedestrians.
- Traffic records and data sharing: NVAC emphasized the need to improve traffic records so law‑enforcement, court and other partners supply consistent data to inform policy.
- DUI screening/intervention program: The newly added Fostering DUI Interventions Program is intended to expand screening and treatment referrals for people identified as DUI risks.
- Safe‑systems intersection work and speed‑setting guidance: The committee recommended nonlegislative actions jurisdictions can adopt now, including safer intersection design and work to better define appropriate speed limits for all road users.

Data and measurement: NVAC uses multiple measures, including normalized fatality rates reported to the federal government. Sandra Rosenberg, deputy director for planning and administration at the Nevada Department of Transportation, said some measures NVAC and NDOT report use vehicle‑miles traveled and are expressed per 100,000,000 vehicle miles traveled.

Working groups and participation: Bennett described three working groups NVAC uses to dive deeper on topics. The citation working group, formed after an NTSB recommendation, was open to nonmembers; Bennett said by the committee’s bylaws working groups may include participants who are not NVAC members. He said an equity working group is chaired by Amy Davey (State Highway Safety Office) and that lists of working‑group participants appear in the NVAC annual report.

Questions from senators focused on measurement of fatalities relative to population and miles driven, the committee’s outreach to jurisdictions with falling fatality counts, and how NVAC balances statewide recommendations with local authority over speed limits and school‑zone settings. Bennett and Rosenberg said speed limits are typically set by the road owner and that school zones are currently defined by state law (Bennett described school‑zone limits as “15 miles an hour in front of a school and 25 miles an hour in a defined crossing zone”).

NVAC materials: The annual report and presentation are available online at zerofatalitiesnv.com under the committee resources section, the presenters said. NVAC requested that senators and staff send any exhibits or written materials within 24 hours so members will receive them.

The committee did not propose specific statutory language before the Senate committee during the presentation; NVAC officials said they expect to return with bill proposals and further testimony later in the legislative session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2/12/2025 - Senate Committee on Growth and Infrastructure","oneSentenceSummary","The Nevada Advisory Committee on Traffic Safety presented its annual report and policy priorities to the Senate Growth and Infrastructure Committee on March 1, 2025, urging a mix of legislative changes and jurisdictional actions to reduce traffic fatalities statewide.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature NV, Nevada","taxId",78440,"location","Nevada","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6332485,"NDOT briefs senators on vacancies, rising construction costs and project timelines",1404,3163000,4567000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2307031-9ac621c62bcc53fcc57f475b8319a55f&start=3163&end=4567","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2307031-9ac621c62bcc53fcc57f475b8319a55f/thumbnail_3163000.jpg","/articles/6332485/Nevada/NDOT-briefs-senators-on-vacancies-rising-construction-costs-and-project-timelines","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332485-e84c2f411a33b9ccfc239a02f5d4bebb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770506502&Signature=LD1JiDnydfWBEjQbLr2reL9wosz80mxB3eD2UitztH6xDqjtD4fpnQco60iMTcpuOOPCVC3pT9vvtQt0xozEvxr8n71ZUHarrLx8tTorVDR3OrJoh0qwgwVpvkFlj2BwYE71BxbRmWFtC9fCMDpGvt16WZJY070BubHCB1qQuVDR~kirPqATAnrc0rGgvt9AuiAGIH--G7UsbshzesPodf177hHKPRq6J1p9VpBDgsZxI37B9G7ArGJmC7PAWwZAi7q-Ae8hS1r7wUy1WlGbtU4mI9KjnIP6sg0IimfriMEEEZjSEOuDPMoS2j53e0bpbqItzKC79V2GolRgeAnMAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tracy Larkin Thomason, director of the Nevada Department of Transportation, told the Senate Committee on Growth and Infrastructure on March 1, 2025, that NDOT has reduced staff vacancies since pay raises but is confronting steep construction cost increases, supply‑chain pressures and some uncertainty about timing for federal grant reimbursement.

Larkin Thomason said NDOT’s vacancy rate dropped from about 26 percent to 14.7 percent following recent raises and recruitment efforts. “We are down to 14.7%,” she said, noting rural maintenance stations have seen improved staffing but that engineering positions remain a recruitment challenge.

Scope, funding and cost pressures
NDOT said it maintains roughly 5,400 center lane miles and more than 1,200 bridges, employs about 1,900 people and manages an annual program that usually ranges from about $800 million to $1.2 billion, depending on grants and reimbursements. The department highlighted that state and federal fuel taxes are flat cents‑per‑gallon amounts (the presentation cited the state tax at 18.455¢ per gallon and the federal tax at 18.4¢ per gallon), so revenue does not increase automatically with rising pump prices.

On construction costs, Larkin Thomason and staff said material prices (asphalt, concrete, steel) and labor increases contributed to large cost growth for projects in recent years; NDOT reported a multi‑year period of high inflation that pushed bid prices substantially higher. They also cited rising ancillary costs — theft and right‑of‑way cleanup, environmental compliance and other items — that now add millions to annual program costs.

Federal funding timing and program impacts
Larkin Thomason warned that a recent executive order has prompted reviews of federal grant funds and that unobligated or newly awarded federal grants may face additional review or timing uncertainty. “Any federal fund is a reimbursement program. We expend state dollars first, then submit an invoice and get reimbursed,” she said, adding those timing questions can affect project cash flow and sequencing.

Project updates and planning
- Tropicana/I‑15 (Southern Nevada): Larkin Thomason said the project is on track for substantial completion in August and final completion by September (year not explicitly restated; presenters referred to the current construction season).
- US‑395 north valley widening (Northern Nevada): Phase 1B is scheduled for completion next year and a Phase 2 has a large federal grant component (about $87–89 million cited). NDOT said it may pause awarding a notice to proceed for Phase 2 while monitoring grant timing.
- I‑80 widening (northern corridor): NDOT said the project’s estimated cost has grown (presenters referenced an approximate $500–600 million cost and about $275 million in federal funding). The department said phasing smaller construction segments may be necessary to manage cash flow and grant timing.

Long‑term need and risks
NDOT presented a 10‑year need estimate ranging from roughly $15.9 billion to $20 billion (using a 4 percent inflation assumption for the period) and said the agency expects an ongoing annual shortfall in preservation and betterment projects absent new revenue. The director cited industry supply‑chain issues (including chips and imported components for intelligent transportation systems), possible tariffs and skilled‑labor shortages as factors that increase program risk.

Senators asked about specific stalled contractor work, Freedom‑of‑Information request processing times, and the fiber‑optic contract dispute in Elko (a litigation matter); NDOT said litigation and pending legal reviews limit public comment on active cases and that record requests sometimes require review and redaction through the Attorney General’s office.

NDOT asked legislators to note that deferred maintenance leads to steeper costs over time: Larkin Thomason said the cost to restore a roadway increases multiple‑fold once a wearing surface has deteriorated past a tipping point and urged preventive preservation to avoid much larger repair bills later.","The Nevada Department of Transportation told the Senate committee it reduced vacancies after pay raises but faces rising construction and materials costs, supply‑chain risks, and potential uncertainty in federal grant reimbursements. NDOT gave status updates on major projects including Tropicana/I‑15, US‑395 and I‑80 corridor work.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6332491,"DMV outlines modernization progress, kiosks, and several bill proposals to committee",679,1618000,2297000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2307031-9ac621c62bcc53fcc57f475b8319a55f&start=1618&end=2297","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2307031-9ac621c62bcc53fcc57f475b8319a55f/thumbnail_1618000.jpg","/articles/6332491/Nevada/DMV-outlines-modernization-progress-kiosks-and-several-bill-proposals-to-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332491-b939eb81ddda4b6670a3589908687a9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770506502&Signature=crNvdoxmQmc~9gQV46F2aEaHvmnubYfi68CfDsl9vIi3IElq0V6NCi3oS-lNd0o4Ac-DVLbQan1zxLClQl~x15OnsHf6Hh~wj9XcsPNx~1k5RGD33ctrBtoFWzFlsikS19fX4LjInlBDI5LK4Aofu79JEDoHc72Kh3Qy5ItPdAgdt8XiKe7-7UqFUzDGCxDqyZKqewaKQwDnvaTUb5~4sqVpofjdTy-mkntpq2AANIHp6IiYc1FVBrn1OI9jwFepv-kW7W7jUucDjnE64PbqeppDMSYUtBWajvJKk3TBrQBkoxSSK~4n8kXvpanlFS7mxKwKpW7rOwrWnD~WREVd1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles told the Senate Committee on Growth and Infrastructure on March 1, 2025, that it has made “tremendous” progress modernizing customer services, reduced vacancies after recent pay raises and will pursue several bill changes this session while continuing a multi‑year transformation to move more services online.

For the record, Angela Smith Lamb, Deputy Director of the DMV, said the agency “remains focused on our vision and mission to move most services online while maintaining emphasis on premier customer service in a secure environment.” She said the DMV has 1,292 authorized positions and reported a current vacancy rate of about 5 percent, following recruitment after last session’s salary increases.

What the DMV described
- Modernization and service counts: Sean Seever, deputy administrator for research and project management, said DMV completes roughly 8,000,000 transactions annually (about 28,000 business‑day transactions). The department has rolled out online complaint submissions, electronic document uploads for out‑of‑state and first‑time registrations, a modernized appointment system and improved contact‑center handling.
- Staffing and offices: Smith Lamb said DMV operates 18 field offices statewide, including two focused on commercial services, and partners with county assessors and more than 50 partner kiosks and third‑party registration services.
- Kiosk program and partner rules: The DMV said partner kiosks are placed by a vendor that assesses footprint and profitability; kiosks typically require about 1,000 transactions a month for the vendor to maintain placement. The agency said some kiosks have had unauthorized stickers placed on them by third parties; Angela Smith Lamb said that sticker placement was not done by the DMV and that the department will investigate specific instances.

Pending legislation and budget items
- Bills mentioned (no votes were taken during the presentation):
- SB 22 (motor carrier bill): proposed amendment to clarify due dates for fuel tax returns (set to end of month).
- SB 80 (Compliance Enforcement Division): clarifies existing statutes and activities addressing stolen vehicles, unlicensed motor vehicle industry involvement, and system tampering.
- AB 20: housekeeping bill to allow DMV greater mailing flexibility (including electronic notifications) and to clarify printing of medical condition codes and a medical symbol on driver credentials.
- BDR (budget BDR): proposed increase in fee for diesel and gasoline emission certificates from $6 to $7 to cover pollution control budget needs as gasoline/diesel registrations decline.
- Implementation notes: Sean Seever said DMV implemented all but one and a half bills from last session; AB 161 (medical indicator on driver’s license) is on the license but not yet on registrations; AB 203 (personalized military plates) is expected to be completed in April.

Third‑party registration services: The DMV said it has moved third‑party registration vendors into an appointment system; companies may hold two appointments at a time and the department grandfathered longstanding registration services to preserve some appointment access. The DMV said it held a town hall with registration service companies to address operational issues.

Kiosks and public complaints: A public commenter, Miranda Hoover of the Registered Services Association of Nevada, told the committee she had photos showing kiosk stickers at locations including Las Vegas and Henderson that the association considered problematic; the DMV said it would follow up and that a sticker on some kiosks had been placed by grocery stores charging a fee for kiosk use.

Funding and caps: Smith Lamb said the DMV is primarily funded by highway funds and fees; the agency is subject to a cap on highway fund appropriations for operations (27% currently to support transformation work, scheduled to return to 22% in FY 2026). She said DMV collected approximately $1.8 billion in FY 2024 and that about 46.58 percent of operations funding comes from highway funds with the remainder from fees and commissions.

Senators asked about kiosk expansion, the Real ID deadline, vacancy rates and whether DMV has considered multi‑year registration options; the DMV said it will follow up with specific counts (such as number of Nevadans who still need a Real ID) and noted a three‑year registration option exists for trailers but not passenger vehicles.","The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles briefed the Senate committee on a multi‑year modernization effort, staffing gains, kiosk usage and several pending bills and budget requests, and described steps taken to manage third‑party registration vendors and appointments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Nevada advisory committee lists 10 traffic‑safety priorities, adds DUI intervention program

NDOT briefs senators on vacancies, rising construction costs and project timelines

DMV outlines modernization progress, kiosks, and several bill proposals to committee