I’m hanging up on Las Vegas

By Paul Smotas, Calabash, N.C.

Monday, April 24, 2017 | 2 a.m.

On March 15, I was enjoying my annual trip to Nevada and Arizona.

At 10:21 a.m., I received a phone call from home while driving on Valle Verde Drive, which I proceeded to answer. Two minutes later I was pulled over by a police officer and issued a $115 ticket for “having my cellphone up to my ear” while driving. No discussion, no empathy.

Am I guilty? Yes. Unfortunately, I was unaware of the Nevada law regarding cellphone use while driving. There are no street signs, billboards or warnings on rental car leases alerting visitors to the law.

My father was a police officer for over 30 years, and I have a healthy respect for all laws. Evidence of that is my 48 years of driving without a single moving violation. While I will accept the consequences of my action and pay the fine for this infraction, I will also say goodbye to Las Vegas as a future tourist destination.

A warning would have been appreciated and respected.

I do not write this letter to garner sympathy. My hope is that this letter will serve as a message to all tourists and visitors: The laws, even those unknown, will be enforced.