As the three-day Labor Day holiday weekend and the unofficial end of the summer season nears, law enforcement agencies plan to beef up their visibility, including a number of DUI checkpoints that will begin this weekend, the Nevada Highway Patrol announced today.
At least two roadblocks will be staffed by deputies, officers and troopers as part of the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety’s joining forces grant. One roadblock will be in Lyon County on Saturday and the other in Washoe County over the weekend, NHP reported in a press statement.
There are 28 law enforcement agencies participating in the federally-funded “joining forces” grant.
Here is what the NHP advised in the news release.
"Driving under the influence of alcohol and / or drugs is a preventable crime; yet every single day in Nevada many motorists are arrested for this offense," according to the statement. "In 2009, over 20,000 arrests were made for motorists who had too much to drink or who were found to be under the influence of drugs, or a combination of both. Sadly, 96 people lost their lives in Nevada last year due to alcohol-relates crashes, and across our nation each day, someone dies approximately every 30 minutes in an alcohol-related collision.
"Most of us already know what our holiday plans entail, so if alcohol is going to be part of our recreational activities, do not operate any motor vehicle after consuming alcohol, the release stated. Planning events safely and responsibly is the key to reducing these preventable crimes. One of the easiest ways to prevent a DUI is to refrain from alcohol altogether, designate a safe and sober driver, utilize public transportation, or simply stay at home or where you are recreating (hotel, resort, campground, etc).
"A DUI arrest can also be a life changing event and furthermore, could also be considered a career ending choice or decision. A first-time DUI arrest in Washoe County, for example, consists of the following penalties:
— $750.00 dollar fine
— Two or more days in jail
— Loss of driving privileges for 90 days (those who drive for a living may become unemployable)
— Vehicle impound fees
— Victim Impact Panel
— Legal fees
— SR-22 filed with DMV for 3 years= very expensive high-risk insurance Community service
"Lastly, because of the heavy volume of traffic predicted over the Labor Day holiday weekend this year, all motorists really need to limit their distractions and pay attention and concentrate while driving.
Traffic in the Reno-Sparks-Fernley area on the Interstate 80 corridor, as well as on State Route 447 north of I-80 between Wadsworth and Gerlach, will be especially heavy due to the annual “Burning Man” event taking place on the Black Rock Desert, Aug. 30 - Sept. 6.
"Motorist who observe a suspected impaired or drunken driver may report it by dialing *NHP (*647) from any cellular phone. That call will be routed to the closest Department of Public Safety-Communications Center where a dispatcher will request additional information as well as dispatch a trooper."