Sheriff's Office

For Immediate Release

Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Participating in Regional Joining Forces Distracted Driving Campaign

As part of ongoing statewide efforts to reduce easily avoidable crashes and tragedies on Nevada’s roadways, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office is Joining Forces with other Nevada law enforcement agencies to heighten enforcement and awareness of the state’s distracted driving laws.

From January 13, 2024, through January 31, 2024, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and our regional law enforcement partners will dedicate extra patrol resources to this special enforcement and awareness effort.

Distracted driving is anything that takes your attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to others in your vehicle, using the stereo or your navigation system — anything that takes your attention away from the road.

The use of electronic devices while driving is a common cause of distracted driving. It only takes about 5 seconds to send or read a short text message, but during that time, your vehicle can travel the length of a football field (assuming you are traveling at the speed of 55 MPH) with minimal attention to the road ahead.

To ensure your safety and the safety of others, it's important to put down your electronic devices and focus solely on the road while driving.

This campaign is made possible by a Joining Forces grant from the Nevada Department of Public Safety/Office of Traffic Safety. Joining Forces is a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement program aimed at reducing injuries and crashes through statewide enforcement in the areas of DUI, speed, distracted driving, seat belt, and pedestrian safety.

For more information on Nevada’s distracted driving laws, visit: Zero Fatalities- Nevada's Traffic Safety Education Program (zerofatalitiesnv.com)

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.

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