WCSO NEWS RELEASE
MotoristS who refuse to designate a sober driver or fail to get sober transportation–beware. The 2012 start-of-summer impaired driving awareness and enforcement campaign kicks off Friday to help save lives by cracking down on those who choose to drive impaired. This enforcement mobilization runs from June 29 through July 8.
The “Joining Forces” impaired driving awareness and enforcement campaign is made possible by grant funding from the Nevada Department of Public Safety/Office of Traffic Safety. “Joining Forces” is a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement program that promotes statewide enforcement in the areas of DUI, seat belt, and speed and pedestrian safety. The purpose of this event is to educate the driving public in regard to DUI laws, to enforce the community’s no tolerance stance towards impaired driving and to remind people that it’s never safe to drive impaired.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office is “Joining Forces” with the Reno and Sparks police departments and the Nevada Highway Patrol to help save more lives by strongly enforcing DUI laws around the clock. Saturation patrols are effective ways law enforcement can help reduce a person’s chance of getting behind the wheel after having alcoholic intoxicants. Through awareness and enforcement we want to eliminate the risk a person takes when impaired and deter everyone from ever driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs.
“Too many drivers take the chance and drive after having too much to drink,” said Deputy Armando Avina. “Our goal is to save lives, so we are ‘Joining Forces’ with state and local law enforcement officers through the Fourth of July holiday to deter motorist from driving impaired.”
The Sheriff’s Office reminds the public to drink responsibly, designate a sober driver and utilize a taxi service or public transportation. It’s always best practice to have a safety plan before starting your festivities. Motorists should know that law enforcement personnel are out enforcing DUI laws year-round.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office celebrated 150 years of proud service and community partnership in 2011. Sheriff Michael Haley is the 25th person elected to serve as the sheriff of Washoe County. His office continues to be the only full service public safety agency operating within northern Nevada and is responsible for operating the consolidated detention facility, regional crime lab, Northern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center, Internet Crimes against Children Task Force, court security, service of civil process, traditional street patrols and Regional Animal Services.
