Push To Remove HOV Lanes in Las Vegas Gains Momentum

If you’ve ever driven on I-15 through Las Vegas, you’ve seen the HOV lanes that run through the city. While the number of lanes changes throughout the area, for much of the distance, these lanes change I-15 from a six-lane highway to a four-lane highway for solo drivers.

If you are traveling alone, it can be frustrating to see unusable lanes to your left, especially when they have private ramps that can’t be used by solo drivers. Some in the Nevada government are making a push to remove HOV lanes from the I-15 sections in Las Vegas.

Should this initiative be successful, all HOV lanes will likely become general use lanes, adding as much as 50% extra usable roadway for drivers.

Recent History of Las Vegas HOV Lanes

While HOV lanes have existed for decades, the lanes on I-15 are quite recent. They were installed in 2019 at the implementation of Project Neon. When they were first added, these lanes were active 24 hours a day, every day of the week.

Those rules lasted for three years. Changes were made in the fall of 2022, reducing the hours that the HOV lanes were active — 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. However, even these changes weren’t satisfactory to Lt. Governor Stavros Anthony.

Shortly after being elected as Lt. Governor, Anthony pushed to further reduce the hours that the HOV lanes were enforced. This resulted in HOV lanes being enforced from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. At the same time, Anthony started an environmental impact study for the HOV lanes that would take two years to complete.

Anthony believes the study will show that there will be no environmental impact from removing the lanes. He also believes that the lanes cause congestion and that a majority of residents do not support the carpool lanes. However, there are no significant data-driven metrics to prove either argument.

Counter Arguments

On the other side of the debate is the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC). The RTC is dedicated to improving efficiency in the transportation system in southern Nevada. It institutes several projects and initiatives to support carpooling and public transportation.

According to the RTC, the RTC Club Ride carpooling program has seen steady increases over the past few years. As of mid-2025, it had already recorded almost 120,000 self-reported carpool trips in the covered area.

Sue Christiansen, the spokeswoman for the RTCSV, believes that this is evidence that carpool lanes work and are growing in popularity.

Safety Effects and Legal Impacts on Drivers

The main goal of HOV lanes is to encourage carpooling and the use of public transportation. The fewer cars on the road, the less environmental damage vehicles cause.

However, a sizable contingent believes that these benefits come at the cost of driver safety. They argue that when fewer lanes are available, it causes congestion, which can result in traffic accidents.

While traffic deaths are increasing in Las Vegas, the data doesn’t indicate whether those increases are tied to HOV lanes on I-15 or to other factors. Over one quarter of those deaths involve pedestrians and bicycles, both of which are prohibited on interstate highways.

The legal impact of HOV lanes is a lot easier to discern. In the past year, 156 HOV lane violations were issued to drivers in the state, and about 75% resulted in the defendants being found liable for those violations. Those are relatively low numbers for an interstate running through a major city (approximately one citation every two days), suggesting that drivers are mostly aware of and respect the HOV regulations.

How HOV Lanes in Las Vegas Can Cause Accidents

When dealing with HOV lanes on I-15, one of the biggest dangers is HOV lane confusion. If a driver doesn’t realize that HOV regulations are active, or vice versa, they might be indecisive about whether they can use the lanes. Indecision can lead to unexpected lane switching or swerving.

If you are involved in a car accident due to HOV confusion, an experienced personal injury attorney in Las Vegas may be able to help you get compensation for any injuries you suffer. It is important to document the behavior of the other driver, especially if you noticed some type of confusion or indecision causing the accident.

This information is important evidence for your insurance company and lawyer. It should help you get a fair settlement from your claim.

Contact Adam S. Kutner, Injury Attorneys, Today

Were you or a loved one seriously injured in a Las Vegas HOV lane car accident? At Adam S. Kutner, Injury Attorneys, we are local authorities who understand Las Vegas transportation policies, and how those policies affect you after a car accident on I-15.

When you contact our personal injury attorneys, we will fight to get you the compensation you need to recover from your injuries.