SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
Washoe County Sheriff’s Office patrol staff assigned to this month’s “Joining Forces -Speed/Distracted Driving” awareness and enforcement campaign, issued 418 citations, over half of which were for speed violations, during the 12 days of the campaign.
The purpose of this grant-funded campaign is to educate the driving public in regards to distracted driving and speed laws, enforce the community’s no tolerance stance towards distracted driving, and remind people that it’s never safe to speed or use a cell phone while driving.
The Sheriff’s Office joined the Reno Police Department, Sparks Police Department and the Nevada Highway Patrol to conduct around the clock saturation patrols from August 2 through August 13 in a concentrated effort to help save more lives by enforcing moving violations.
Of the 418 citations issued by the Sheriff’s Office patrol staff assigned to this enforcement campaign, 222 were for speeding violations and 14 were issued for cell phone use.
Additional citations included 43 for no insurance, 26 registration violations, 25 for issues related to driving without a valid driver’s license, 14 equipment violations and four red light violations. Five citations were issued for seat belt violations and three for improper installation of child seats. One arrest was made for DUI and two wanted fugitives from justice were arrested. All other miscellanous citations totaled 12 and 47 warnings were issued as well.
These campaigns are an effective way for law enforcement to help reduce a driver’s chance of excessively speeding and putting others in harm’s way, as well as encouraging driver’s to stow their cell phone when behind the wheel.
“Drivers who fail to follow the posted speed limits are at risk of not being able to safely respond to their constantly changing surroundings, therefore, putting themselves and others at risk of serious bodily harm or death,” Washoe County Sheriff’s Deputy Armando Avina said. “The same goes for those distracted drivers who prioritize using their communication device rather than giving the roadway their full attention.”
“Joining Forces” is a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement program that promotes statewide enforcement in the areas of: DUI, distracted driving, seat belt, speed and pedestrian safety. The “Joining Forces” “Speed/Distracted Driving” awareness and enforcement campaign was made possible by grant funding received from the Nevada Department of Public Safety/Office of Traffic Safety.
The Sheriff’s Office reminds the public to make safety top priority, whether you’re the driver or passenger in any type of motor vehicle. Motorist should be advised that law enforcement personnel are out enforcing these 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.
