From April 3 through April 20, 2026, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office will take part in a statewide Joining Forces campaign addressing distracted driving. Throughout the campaign period, deputies will dedicate additional patrol efforts and community engagement initiatives aimed at encouraging attentive, distraction-free driving on Nevada roadways.
Distracted driving is any behavior that pulls attention away from operating a vehicle safely. This can include texting or talking on a cell phone, eating, adjusting music or navigation controls, or interacting with passengers. Even a brief lapse in attention can have serious consequences.
The use of electronic devices behind the wheel remains one of the most common and dangerous distractions. Taking your eyes off the road for just a few seconds significantly increases the risk of a crash. At highway speeds, that moment of inattention can mean traveling a considerable distance without fully watching the roadway.
Law enforcement agencies throughout Nevada continue working together to address preventable crashes caused by distracted driving. Drivers are encouraged to silence notifications, secure their phones out of reach, and give their full attention to the road every time they get behind the wheel.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to reducing the number of fatalities on Nevada’s roads to zero by increasing public awareness about the dangers of speeding, driving unrestrained, impaired driving, distracted driving, and more. For more information about safe driving and the Nevada Zero Fatalities goal, visit www.ZeroFatalitiesNV.com.
The Nevada Department of Public Safety’s- Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) provides funding for law enforcement agencies to participate in Joining Forces to reduce traffic deaths.
