For Immediate Release
| PR #: |
1300039 |
| Date Issued: |
Mar 29, 2013 - 9:44am |
|
Sheriff's Office releases March "Joining Forces" intersection safety and enforcement campaign event results
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| WHEN: |
March 4 - 25, 2013 |
| WHERE: |
Washoe County |
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| CONTACT: |
Sergeant Armando Avina - |
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office has completed their share of the March 2013 "Joining Forces" intersection safety and enforcement campaign event. The Sheriff's Office joined the Reno Police Department, Sparks Police Department and the Nevada Highway Patrol during this event, which ran from March 4 through March 25, 2013.
The focus of this campaign was intersection violations such as running a red light, driver's duty to decrease speed, and failure to yield the right of way to pedestrians. Law enforcement personnel also looked for drivers who talked and texted on their cellular phones.
Sheriff's Office patrol staff assigned to this intersection safety and enforcement event initiated 319 traffic stops and one driver was arrested for DUI. Additionally, of the 319 traffic stops, there were two fugitives from justice persons arrested.
The Sheriff's Office issued 240 speeding citations, 18 cell phone/other distracted driving citations, and 20 citations for driver's license related violations. Other notable violations included 12 motor vehicle registration citations, six vehicle equipment citations, two seat belt citations, 64 citations for failure to show proof of insurance, four citations for driver's failing to yield the right of way, and 19 running a red light citations. Other various citations and written warnings totaled 33.
Although a driver may be stopped for one violation, during a patrolman's investigation, several other violations may be observed. It's possible that one driver may be issued a citation for numerous violations.
The "Joining Forces" intersection safety and enforcement event campaign is 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, seat belt, distracted driving, and speed and pedestrian safety.
The Sheriff's Office uses a nationally recognized data- driven approach to reducing crime and increasing public safety in our community. Sheriff's Office data has shown a high incidence of traffic violations, traffic accidents, traffic problems and DUI arrests in our region. The Sheriff's Office continues to be a data-driven agency in order to proactively provide the best possible services to the citizens of our community.
The Sheriff's Office reminds the public to drive responsibly by being aware of their surroundings at all times by eliminating distractions. Some distractions include food, beverage, tuning in a radio station or selecting music on a handheld device, reading, applying makeup, reacting to your passengers and/or other drivers, and anything else that takes a person's attention and concentration off the task of driving. Although these actions alone are not violations of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS), they account for numerous traffic and pedestrian accidents in our region. By eliminating distractions, focusing on surroundings, being aware of others actions and reducing velocity, this will help reduce the number of accidental incidents from occurring.
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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