Nevada

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Nevada is a state of the United States of America.

Law

The Low Down

The legality of hitchhiking in the state of Nevada is debatable--even if you are not standing in the road or highway. You need to stand either on a sidewalk, or on the shoulder (on the other side of the solid white line, or off of the pavement). Walking on an interstate highway is legal if there are no sidewalks nearby, but only if the pedestrian is walking in a direction facing traffic. That makes it possible to hitchhike, as long as you keep walking the opposite direction! Because the law is open to interpretation by police, it is not recommended to hold your thumb out to cars you suspect to be police or state troopers. They may still arrest you or issue you a citation.

Personal experience: I had had a tough time getting a ride out of the Las Vegas area, strangely, someone driving a delivery truck going to Saint George, Utah stopped me when I was next to a "Do not pick up hitchhikers...prison area" sign and asked me where I was headed. I got a ride. Use your head out there, trust your instincts, pray (it CAN'T hurt) and give it a go!


Here are the laws themselves:

Nevada State Statute (soliciting for a ride) [1]

NRS 484B.297 - 3. A person shall not stand in a highway to solicit a ride or any business from the driver or any occupant of a vehicle. A person shall not, without a permit issued pursuant to NRS 244.3555 or 268.423, solicit any contribution from the driver or any occupant of a vehicle.

Keep in mind, that on highways (interstates), this law applies:

2. Pedestrians walking along highways where sidewalks are not provided shall walk on the left side of those highways facing the approaching traffic.

Nevada Definition of Highway [2]

(Note: the word "Roadway" is not used in this context)
NRS 484A.095 - “Highway” defined. “Highway” means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way dedicated to a public authority when any part of the way is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular traffic, whether or not the public authority is maintaining the way. (Added to NRS by 1969, 1478; A 1981, 1690)—(Substituted in revision for NRS 484.065)

The definition of highway means the law can be interpreted by a cop to mean that if you are soliciting a ride within the fence (boundary) lines of any highway, even 10 feet off the side of the road, you are breaking the law. User:Thewindandrain knew a couple that received a citation for hitchhiking when they were on the dirt off the side of highway 93 near Wells, Nevada.

Las Vegas City Ordinance (soliciting for a ride) [3]

11.30.110- Solicitation from roadway. No person shall stand in a roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride, employment, or business from the occupant of any vehicle. (1949 code Ch. 36 § 96(c): prior code § 10-16-9(A))

Las Vegas definition of Roadway [4]

13.24.010 - "Roadway" means that portion of a street improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel.

Cities

trash:Nevada