DMV has extra-severe case of the Mondays, so steer clear

Tpeople, it’s Cyber Monday, one of the best days of the year to find online shopping deals. But for the folks working at the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, today is known as Black Monday, one of their busiest times of the year.

Anyone needing to register a vehicle, get a new driver’s license or take care of other business at the DMV should stay home today. Eat some turkey leftovers. Shop online.

It would be better than standing in unusually long lines, DMV spokesman Kevin Malone warned.

It’s unclear when Black Monday darkened the DMV’S doorsteps.

One reason may come from the fact that the DMV is closed for four consecutive days, from Thanksgiving through Sunday.

“It’s the only time of year this happens, and it creates a pent-up demand,” Malone said.

About 6,150 people visited the DMV’S four offices across the Las Vegas Valley on Nov. 30, 2015, the Monday following the Thanksgiving weekend, Malone said. That was up from the 5,257 people who visited the DMV offices on the Monday prior to the holiday in 2015.

But a funny thing happened in 2016. It appears people listened to the DMV’S dire Black Monday warning.

The DMV logged 5,867 visitors at its Las Vegas Valley offices on the Monday following Thanksgiving 2016, down from 6,390 people who

WARRIOR

visited on the Monday prior to the holiday, Malone said.

As with any time of the year, you should try to complete your DMV services online or make an appointment at www.dmvnv.com/dashpass.

If possible, you should probably leave that DMV trip for another day, maybe spend your time eating those tasty turkey leftovers. DMV offices will also be closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, which fall on a Monday.

Distracted driving

Robert from Las Vegas wanted to know Nevada’s law regarding the use of cellphones and other mobile gadgets while driving.

Cellphones, tablets, GPS systems and anything else transmitting a communications signal must be used hands-free with help from Bluetooth devices or cases that are mounted on the vehicle, Nevada Highway Patrol trooper Jason Buratczuk said.

When using a mounted cellphone case, drivers may only be able to touch the phone’s screen to receive or end a call, Buratczuk said. The phone must stay secured to the mount, technically making it handsfree.

When using GPS systems, motorists cannot input their destinations while driving. Look up the address beforehand or ask a passenger for help.

Violators could be convicted of a misdemeanor and cited up to $250.

Exceptions to the law are law enforcement, fire and emergency medical technicians who may be driving but need to use their cellphones as part of their work. Drivers who are