Washoe County, NV – From April 1 through April 19, 2025, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and regional law enforcement partners will participate in the statewide Joining Forces Campaign to combat distracted driving on Nevada roads.
Distracted driving includes any activity that diverts attention from the task of driving. This can include:
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Talking or texting on a phone
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Eating or drinking
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Adjusting your stereo or navigation system
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Interacting with passengers
One of the most dangerous and prevalent forms of distraction is using a mobile device while driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2022, 3,308 people were killed in the United States due to distracted driving. On average, sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for about five seconds — long enough to cover the length of a football field at 55 miles per hour.
In Nevada, distracted driving continues to be a serious concern. Between 2016 and 2020, there were 65 fatalities directly attributed to distracted driving, with hundreds more injured in preventable crashes. These numbers are not just statistics — they represent lives lost, families shattered, and communities affected.
To ensure your safety and the safety of others, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office strongly urges drivers to stay alert and put away their devices while driving.
This Joining Forces campaign aligns with the broader Nevada Zero Fatalities initiative, which aims to eliminate fatalities on our roads through a focus on the “critical five” driving behaviors: impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving, driving unrestrained, and pedestrian safety.
More information about safe driving and Nevada’s Zero Fatalities goal can be found at http://www.ZeroFatalitiesNV.com .
This campaign is made possible by grant funding from the Nevada Department of Public Safety – Office of Traffic Safety.
