Sheriff's Office

For Immediate Release

PR #: 2000026
Date Issued: Feb 25, 2020 - 11:55am

Slow down, stay focused! Deputies issue more than 200 citations for speed and distracted driving during Joining Forces speed safety event

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

Washoe County Sheriff's deputies issued more than 200 citations for speeding and distracted driving as part of a statewide Joining Forces speed safety event during the first two weeks of February.

The goal of Joining Forces is to save lives by increasing public awareness about the dangers of making poor choices while driving. The results of this month's event show that drivers still need to slow down to safe speeds and stay focused on the road.

From January 31 through February 17, 2020, Sheriff's Office joined forces with the Reno and Sparks Police Departments, and the Nevada Highway Patrol, dedicated extra officers to enforce speed safety laws.

Sheriff's Office staff assigned to this event initiated a total of 237 traffic stops. Although a driver may be stopped for one violation, several other violations may be observed during the subsequent investigation making it possible that a driver may be issued citations for numerous violations.

The total number of violations cited, and warnings issued by the Washoe County Sheriff's Office during this event was 291:

190 speeding
22 distracted driving
3 running a red light
3 seat belt violations
20 no insurance
18 registration violations
15 driver's license violations
7 equipment violations
2 fugitive arrests
11 warnings

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.

Sheriff's Office participation in this Joining Forces speed enforcement campaign was made possible by grant funding received from the Nevada Department of Public Safety/Office of Traffic Safety.

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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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