WCSO NEWS RELEASE
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office participated in a Joining Forces speed enforcement campaign during the first 10 days of March as part of ongoing efforts to increase public safety by reducing the number of accidents and injuries caused by driving over the posted speed limit.
From March 1 through March 10, the Sheriff’s Office joined the Reno Police Department, Sparks Police Department and Nevada Highway Patrol for a high-intensity traffic enforcement campaign focusing on the importance of observing speed laws to help keep Washoe County roads, and those who use them, safe.
Sheriff’s Office patrol staff assigned to this Joining Forces campaign initiated a total of 321 traffic stops. Although a driver may be stopped for one violation, several other violations may be observed during the subsequent investigation making it possible that a driver may be issued citations for numerous violations.
The total number of violations cited and warnings issued during this event was 431. More than half of those citations, 241, were issued for speed violations.
Other violations cited by the Sheriff’s Office include:
38 cell phone use/distracted driving
58 for failure to show proof of insurance
21 driver’s license related violations
15 motor vehicle registration violations
4 vehicle equipment violations
3 violations for running a red light
2 violations for failing to yield the right of way
1 seatbelt violation
13 all other violations
35 warnings
Sheriff’s Office participation in this Joining Forces speed enforcement campaign was made possible by grant funding received 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, distracted driving, seat belt, and speed and pedestrian safety. The goal of these enforcement campaigns is to save lives by increasing public awareness about the dangers of making poor choices while driving.
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.
