Douglas and Lyon counties join forces during month of July

Every year, the Independence Day holiday brings an increase of alcohol consumption resulting in increased serious injuries and fatalities. In order to combat this, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office is working with various law enforcement agency partners through the Joining Forces Program to boost enforcement efforts to address impaired driving and riding offenses. Throughout the month of July, officers will be looking for impaired motorists and motorcyclists in hopes to discourage the behavior and to send a strong message about the consequences that accompany drinking and driving.

“The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has a zero tolerance for impaired drivers who put themselves and everyone else on our roads at risk of serious injury or even death,” said Sheriff Ron Pierini. “Nevada’s goal is zero fatalities on all roads.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System reports that Nevada has seen an increase in fatalities of 4 percent compared to the same time last year. If the state mirrors the 2014 trend, approximately one-third of fatalities this year will involve alcohol.

To help achieve the state’s zero fatalities goal, Nevada drivers and riders are encouraged to use the following guidelines:

Before drinking, designate a sober driver.

If impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation.

If you see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact 911.

If someone is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements.

Statistics and other related information are available online at http://ZeroFatalitiesNV.com/sober.