Sheriff's Office

For Immediate Release

PR #: 1900018
Date Issued: Feb 27, 2019 - 2:30pm

With nearly 190 citations for speed and distracted driving during the latest Joining Forces event, Sheriff's Office again advises drivers: slow down and focus on the road

CONTACT: Bob Harmon
Washoe County Sheriff's Office
Office 775-785-6235
Cell 775-722-5517

Washoe County Sheriff's deputies issued more than 185 citations for violations of speed and distracted driving laws as part of a statewide Joining Forces event during the first two weeks of February. A reminder that drivers need to do their part to reduce crashes by slowing down and focusing on the road.

From February 1 through February 19, 2019, the Sheriff's Office joined the Reno Police Department, Sparks Police Department and Nevada Highway Patrol for a high-intensity traffic enforcement campaign aimed at reducing distracted driving. Sheriff's Office units assigned to this effort issued 331 citations. Most citations were for cellphone use or speeding.

The following results are from the Sheriff's Office portion of this campaign:

Sheriff's Office patrol staff assigned to this Distracted Driving Campaign initiated a total of 245 traffic stops. Although a driver may be stopped for one violation, several other violations may be observed during the subsequent investigation making it possible for a driver to be issued numerous citations.

119 speeding violations
68 distracted driving
7 fugitive arrests
1 arrest (other)
4 seatbelt violations
1 red light running
1 driver failure to yield for pedestrian
1 pedestrian failure to yield
44 motor vehicle registration violations
35 for failure to show proof of insurance
15 driver's license related violations
12 vehicle equipment violations
1 failure to yield right of way
1 FST
3 all other citations
18 warnings

The Sheriff's Office participation in these Joining Forces distracted driving awareness and enforcement campaigns 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.

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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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