The Legal And Safety Repercussions Of Driving With Loud Music

Is Driving With Loud Music Illegal?

Driving with loud music is not illegal per se, in Nevada. There is no state-wide driving with loud music law. But in some jurisdictions in the state, driving with your music too loud will be a problem. 

Excessive Noise Ordinances

Certain counties and cities have established excessive noise regulations. Under state law, these jurisdictions have the authority to objectively determine the definition of excessive noise.  

In Las Vegas, the objective standard for excessive noise is 50 feet. This means that a motorist can be charged with a misdemeanor in Las Vegas if their music can be heard at least 50 feet away from the vehicle. 

In unincorporated Clark County, the definition of excessive noise differs by 25 feet. Excessive noise in Clark County is any sound heard from a distance of 75 feet or more. Drivers who love to blast loud music should be aware of the differing ordinances as they travel around the state. 

Headphones

Of course, these noise ordinances don’t apply when a motorist is wearing headphones or earbuds. No matter how loud a driver turns up the volume, no one else outside of the car will likely hear. 

Additionally, driving with headphones or earbuds is not expressly prohibited in Nevada. Still, the safety of driving with such devices is suspect at best, especially when the volume is turned up. Audio information is important for drivers and helps keep them from causing or experiencing a crash.

Distracted Driving

One of the most common distracted activities engaged in by motorists is driving with loud music. The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) categorizes it as an audio distraction that results in a reduction in overall safety. 

Although driving with loud music in your ears may not be an explicit crime or violation, it can certainly be a form of negligence under many circumstances. Crucial audio information, such as an emergency vehicle siren, can go unnoticed easily with music on at full blast. 

In a successful car accident case based on negligence, the victim could seek significant economic and non-economic damages, including:

• Medical and hospital care 
• Lost employment and wages 
• Pain and suffering

If you believe someone’s driving performance was compromised by loud music, and you were harmed as a result, an experienced auto accident lawyer could potentially recover significant damages for your losses. 

Can You Get A Ticket For Driving With Loud Music?

You can indeed get a ticket for driving with loud music in Nevada. Certain jurisdictions have excessive noise ordinances that allow them to prosecute drivers with music over a specific threshold. 

In Las Vegas, for example, a misdemeanor noise ordinance violation could lead to:

• A misdemeanor conviction on your record
• Fines
• Insurance repercussions

Although no jail time is required, multiple violations of this excessive noise law can result in enhanced fines.The Legal and Safety Repercussions of Driving With Loud Music

Can You Be Pulled Over For Driving With Loud Music?

You can be pulled over for loud music in Nevada if the police believe you have committed an excessive noise offense. Of course, the stop must be in a jurisdiction that expressly prohibits loud music. For example, if the police hear your music from over 75 feet away in Clark County, they can stop you.

You can also be pulled over for a loud music violation if police believe that the music has caused you or others to commit a violation. For instance, if your music is too loud, pedestrians or other vehicles may not hear an emergency vehicle, which could lead to a serious accident. Seeing this, an officer might pull you over.

Understanding How Loud Music Affects Driving

Various studies have been conducted on the effect of loud music on driving. The results have uniformly demonstrated that loud music can negatively affect driver performance. 

One study showed that loud music alters reaction time and significantly affects an individual’s ability to process and react to stimuli reasonably. The study was conducted on younger persons between the ages of 21 and 25, but not while driving. 

However, the results reasonably apply to many contexts and strongly suggest that loud music can impair adult and teenage driving. With loud music, it’s often best to err on the side of caution and simply turn it down while driving, no matter your age.

Safety First And Foremost

Regardless of age, loud music is ultimately a hazard not typically worth the risk. Although cruising down the highway with tunes blasting is as exhilarating as it gets for many, the potential for danger is high. Drivers may miss important traffic cues, and experience altered reaction times; when they do, people can get hurt. Drivers, motorcyclists, and pedestrians have the right to be safe from distracted driving. If you have suffered a traffic accident due to a driver’s loud music in Las Vegas, contact an experienced distracted driving lawyer to learn how you can hold the driver accountable for your injuries and losses.