Reno, NV…The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office has successfully completed their share of the week-long “Joining Forces” impaired driving awareness and enforcement campaign. The Sheriff’s Office joined the Reno Police Department, Sparks Police Department and the Nevada Highway Patrol during this campaign, which ran from August 30 through September 5, 2012.

Sheriff’s Office patrol staff assigned to this impaired driving awareness and enforcement campaign initiated 373 traffic stops and arrested three drivers for violation of the Nevada DUI laws. Additionally, of the 373 traffic stops, there were 10 drug related arrests and three fugitive arrests. Ninety-one speeding citations, one reckless driving citation and 23 citations were issued for drivers’ license related violations. Other notable violations observed were; 93 motor vehicle registration violations, 59 vehicle equipment violations, seven seat belt violations, 44 violations for failure to show proof of insurance, 12 distracted driving related violations, seven citations issued to at-fault pedestrian violations and 15 drivers failing to yield the right of way citations . All other miscellaneous citations and written warnings totaled 192. Citations and arrests totaled 560.

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 could be issued a citation for numerous violations.

The “Joining Forces” impaired driving awareness and enforcement 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, and speed and pedestrian safety. The purpose of this event is to educate the driving public in regards to DUI laws, to enforce the community’s no tolerance stance towards impaired driving and to remind people that it’s never safe to drive impaired.

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 this particular area. The Sheriff’s Office continues to be a data-driven law enforcement agency, where we proactively fight crime in the region and provide the best possible services to the citizens of our community.

The Sheriff’s Office reminds the public to drink responsibly, designate a sober driver, and utilize a taxi service or public transportation. It’s always best practice to have a safety plan before starting your festivities. Motorist should know that law enforcement personnel are out enforcing DUI laws year-round.

Information from August 29, 2012 below:

Local law enforcement agencies will put more Deputies, Officers, and Troopers on the roadways during the next week and over the Labor Day holiday weekend as part of a joint effort to crack down on motorists who put public safety at risk by driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office is “Joining Forces” with the Reno and Sparks Police Departments, and the Nevada Highway Patrol, to help save more lives by using saturation patrols to enforce DUI laws around the clock from August 30 through September 5, 2012.

The purpose of this event is to educate the driving public in regards to DUI laws, to enforce the community’s no tolerance stance towards impaired driving, and to remind people that it’s never safe to drive impaired.

“Our goal is to save lives,” Washoe County Undersheriff Todd Vinger said. “Driving under the influence is a gamble we don’t want drivers to take and collaborative saturation patrols are an effective way for law enforcement to emphasize the dangers of impaired driving to the public.”

“Joining Forces” is a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement program that promotes statewide enforcement in the areas of: DUI, distracted driving, seat belt, speed and pedestrian safety.

This “Joining Forces-Impaired Driving” awareness and enforcement campaign is made possible by grant funding received from the Nevada Department of Public Safety/Office of Traffic Safety.

The Sheriff’s Office reminds the public to drink responsibly, designate a sober driver, and utilize a taxi service or public transportation. It’s always best practice to have a safety plan before starting your festivities. Motorist should know that law enforcement personnel are out enforcing DUI laws year-round.

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office uses a nationally recognized data driven approach to reducing crime and increasing public safety in our community. For additional information on Nevada statistics, prevention, laws, safety plans and downloads visit the Nevada Department of Transportation website www.zerofatalitiesnv.com – Zero Fatalities Drive Safe Nevada. Another helpful website for driving safety, vehicle safety, research, data, and laws and regulations, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website at www.nhtsa.gov.

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office celebrated 150 years of proud service and community partnership in 2011. Sheriff Michael Haley is the 25th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County. His office continues to be the only full service public safety agency operating within northern Nevada and is responsible for operating the consolidated detention facility, regional crime lab, Northern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center, Internet Crimes against Children Task Force, court security, service of civil process, traditional street patrols and Regional Animal Services.