Authorities Announce Results of 'Joining Forces' Campaign - KTVN Channel 2 - Reno Tahoe Sparks News, Weather, Video

From the Washoe County Sheriff's Office:

As part of ongoing efforts to increase public safety by reducing the number of accidents and injuries caused by distracted driving, the Washoe County Sheriff's Office participated in a Joining Forces distracted driving awareness campaign from February 10 through February 28, 2014.

During that time, 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 enforcing distracted driving laws.

Sheriff's Office patrol staff assigned to this Distracted Driving Campaign initiated a total of 408 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 during this event was 577. Of those, 83 citations were issued for distracted driving.

Other violations cited by the Sheriff's Office include:

220 speeding violations
82 for failure to show proof of insurance
41 motor vehicle registration violations
35 driver's license related violations
13 vehicle equipment violations
7 violations for running a red light
4 violations for failing to yield the right of way
2 seatbelt violations
2 child seat violations
9 other violations
66 warnings

In addition, Deputies arrested one person on drug charges and 12 people on fugitive charges.

The Sheriff's Office participation in this Joining Forces distracted driving awareness and enforcement campaign 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.

From the Washoe County Sheriff's Office