New Las Vegas law could land pedestrians in jail for stopping to take pictures

Las Vegas is one of the most popular tourist destinations in America, and a lot of those travelers will stop on sidewalks to snap a pic of their adventures in the city. However, a new law could land pedestrians with a massive fine or jail time for stopping and standing still in certain “Pedestrian Flow Zones”.

Las Vegas is one of the most eye-catching cities in the world. The skyline is always alight with the glow of neon in a city that, for the most part, never truly sleeps. Vegas is bustling at almost any time of day.

As a result, there’s always a lot of pedestrian foot traffic for those trying to get from place-to-place, and many tourists or visitors looking to take some pics of the most iconic locations in Vegas like the massive Las Vegas sphere.

However, a new law put in place by Clark County, Nevada, decrees that certain “Pedestrian Flow Zones” will force people to keep walking and punish those who stop in these areas, even if it’s to snap a quick picture. Those who break this law could even face jail time.

Las Vegas law establishes “Pedestrian Flow Zones”

A bill enacted by Clark county explains the rationale behind putting this law in place. The bill explains that “disorderly offenses” are on the rise in Las Vegas, and that bridges and other prominent thoroughfare for pedestrians is often where this disorderly conduct takes place.

“Stopping on the pedestrian bridges creates conditions that can foment disorder which, in turn, can lead to crime and serious safety issues,” the bill claims.

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“Because pedestrian traffic demand on the bridges varies significantly and unpredictably regardless of day or time of day, it is impossible to know in advance when stopping will result in criminal or otherwise dangerous conditions (whether involving the particular pedestrian who has stopped or others) and because of the physical nature of the pedestrian bridges, by the time such conditions exist, it would often be too late for law enforcement or other first responders to intervene, mitigate, render aid, rescue, or take other actions necessary as a result of crime and other serious safety issues.”

The proposed solution is so-called “Pedestrian Flow Zones”, designated areas where people aren’t allowed to stop for extended periods of time to keep the flow of pedestrian foot traffic going.

While these bridges make up a fairly small portion of Vegas’ overall real estate, the penalties for violating the now-enacted ordinance aren’t exactly a slap on the wrist:

“Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for a term not to exceed six months or by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars, or by both such fine and imprisonment.”

Stopping for extended periods of time in one of these flow zones isn’t a felony offense, but it does count as a misdemeanor and could land offenders with jail time.