Reno, NV…The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and law enforcement agencies statewide are warning drivers that authorities will be out in force this Labor Day weekend patrolling the roads for impaired drivers. Drunk drivers will be cited and prosecuted.

“Driving under the influence is a costly mistake that must be avoided,” Washoe County Undersheriff Tim Kuzanek said. “If your weekend plans involve alcohol, make sure that a designated driver or alternative transportation is also part of those plans.”

Assistant Sheriff Kuzanek said that the Sheriff’s Office is joining forces with other area law enforcement to put extra traffic patrols on the street as part of ongoing efforts to support the State’s Zero Fatalities program.

Thirty-five deaths on Nevada’s roads so far this year were alcohol-related according to preliminary data from the Nevada Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety. Nationally, someone dies every 51 minutes from an alcohol-related crash, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

To curb impaired driving and alcohol-related deaths on Nevada roads this Labor Day weekend, traffic safety officials share these tips for drivers and passengers:

If you drink, don’t drive. Designate a sober driver to get you home safely.
Plan a safe way home before going out.
If you’re already impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, use public transportation or call a designated driver service to get home safely.
If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local police.
If you know people who are about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.

Nevada Joining Forces is a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement program that promotes statewide enforcement of DUI, seat belt use, distracted driving, speed and pedestrian safety. Last year’s Joining Forces enforcement over the Labor Day holiday resulted in 4,227 stops with 128 DUI arrests.

Joining Forces is funded by grants through the Nevada Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety. Nevada’s Zero Fatalities program is a statewide effort addressing the top behaviors that are killing people on our roads. More information about this program is available at ZeroFatalitiesNV.com. Information is also available on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

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.