The University of Nevada, Reno Police Services is implementing traffic safety programs that will continue to make the campus and the surrounding community a safer place. The Nevada Office of Traffic Safety has awarded University Police Services more than $71,000 in grants through 2015 for various projects that promote traffic safety. These projects include increased enforcement of traffic violations, pedestrian safety and an impaired driver prevention program.
“We deal with a lot of traffic problems on a daily basis,” Adam Garcia, University of Nevada, Reno Police Services chief, said. “As our student population continues to grow each year, our streets become more congested with both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Our goal is no injuries or fatalities in our jurisdiction, and funds like this help us provide services to meet these goals.”
In Washoe County, there were 15 fatal vehicle crashes in 2013 resulting in 15 deaths. In 2014, there have already been 26 crashes resulting in 28 deaths. The number of pedestrian deaths has also increased from four in 2013 to seven in 2014. Alcohol was a factor in six of the 2013 crashes, and eight of the 2014 crashes. There have been no fatal accidents near the University since 2011.
“We never want to report the death of a student, or any member of the University community,” Garcia said. “We have a longstanding partnership with the Office of Traffic Safety, and we are pleased to have their support into 2015.”
Funded projects include:
Joining Forces project: $9,500 – A statewide initiative for increased enforcement of specific traffic violations during a set calendar of events throughout the year. University Police Services often partners with other local agencies for these events which may include checkpoints, saturation patrol or targeting specific areas.
Pedestrian Safety project: $24,000 – An educational campaign promoting the enforcement of pedestrian crosswalks. This includes the creation of a public service announcement and promotion of pedestrian traffic safety at a 2015 men’s Wolf Pack basketball event.
Do the Ride Thing project: $37,784 – An impaired-driver prevention program which includes enforcement and education to prevent impaired driving or riding with impaired drivers. The Do the Ride Thing campaign provides incentives, donated by local businesses, for students who serve as designated drivers. Students can learn about the program through the website beintheknowtoday.org or by using the “be in the know” phone app available for IPhone and Android devices. This project is a partnership between University Police Services and the Office of Student Conduct.
For more information about these programs, contact Commander Todd Renwick at University Police Services, 775-784-4013.
