Washoe County Sheriff’s Office deputies are Joining Forces with other regional law enforcement partners focused on reducing vehicle versus pedestrian crashes beginning today, the first day of school for Washoe County School District students.
Between August 9th and August 25th, northern Nevada law enforcement agencies are dedicating extra traffic patrols and are increasing enforcement of the state’s pedestrian safety laws. Funding for these extra patrols is made possible by a Joining Forces grant received from the Nevada Department of Public Safety/Office of Traffic Safety.
All road users, drivers, and pedestrians should keep these basic safety suggestions in mind:
Pedestrians
- Use intersections and marked mid-block crosswalks only
- Between dusk and dawn, wear bright clothing or accessories that can be seen at night
- Continue to look for oncoming traffic until the other side of the road is reached
- Make eye contact with drivers before stepping into the street
Drivers
- Obey speed limits and know when conditions warrant even slower speeds, including streets that are not well lit
- Check intersections and mid-block crosswalks for waiting pedestrians, and yield to them
- Make eye contact with pedestrians waiting to cross the street
No matter what form of transportation you use, take responsibility for others around you and respect their right to use the road. Make sure that you are predictable, alert, and focused on your safety and on the safety of those around you.
Joining Forces is a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement program aimed at reducing injuries and crashes through statewide enforcement in the areas of: DUI, speed, distracted driving, seat belt 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.
