Washoe County Sheriff’s Office statistics from a Joining Forces DUI Enforcement campaign during the month of March continue to show a decrease in DUI arrests from the previous year.
The number of violations cited and warnings issued during March was 230. Violations include:
4 DUI arrests
89 for speeding
3 for cell phone use or other distracted driving
15 for failure to show proof of insurance
14 driver’s license related violations
9 motor vehicle registration violations
11 vehicle equipment violations
3 for running a red light
2 child seat violations
1 fugitive warrant arrest
1 drug arrest
8 for failing to yield the right of way
9 all other citations
61 warnings
In 2014, Sheriff’s Office personnel participating in these multi-agency DUI enforcement efforts would arrest between six and ten drivers for DUIs per campaign. However, during this latest campaign, Sheriff’s Office personnel arrested four drivers for DUIs. During a similar campaign in January, only two DUI arrests were made. This is consistent with statistics gathered by the Sheriff’s Office Crime Analyst late last year showing a decrease in DUI arrests at the national level.
Although it is too early to determine if this decrease in arrests will continue, Sheriff’s Office staff are hopeful that the decrease reflects a trend by motorists to choose alternatives to drinking and driving.
“Every person who chooses not to drink and drive is making an important choice to help keep the streets and highways safer for us all,” said Washoe County Sheriff Chuck Allen.
From March 4 through March 23, 2015, the Sheriff’s Office joined the Nevada Highway Patrol, Reno Police Department and Sparks Police Department in conducting special traffic safety patrols funded by Nevada’s Joining Forces program.
Sheriff’s Office patrol staff assigned to this campaign initiated a total of 178 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.
