Extra patrols looking for seat belt violations

Extra Nevada Highway Patrol troopers will be on duty this four-day holiday weekend in the Carson City-Reno-Sparks area as part of the "Click it or Ticket" seat-belt enforcement campaign, said Trooper Chuck Allen.

"We would rather issue someone a citation for not wearing a seat belt than have to witness injuries ... and sometimes death at a crash scene," said Allen in a news release.

Last Thanksgiving weekend in Nevada, there were four fatal crashes in which six people died. Three of those crashes involved alcohol.

In 2006, on the same weekend, there were five crashes killing six people. One of those involved alcohol.

Allen offered the following tips for a safe holiday weekend:

- Never drink and drive.

- Designate a safe and sober driver; not the person who consumes the least amount of alcohol.

- Always where a seat belt; every trip, every time, day or night.

- Be certain that all passengers in your vehicle are properly restrained before driving.

- Allow extra time to get to your destination because of the projected heavier traffic.

- Pay attention while driving at all times.

- Limit distractions such as eating, drinking, talking on the phone, changing the radio station, etc.

- Tired or sleepy drivers can crash too. If you feel tired, stop and stretch or let someone else drive.

- With Friday and Saturday being heavy traffic days for bargain hunters, be on the lookout for certain freeway off ramps to have heavier than usual traffic.

- Don't risk an accident by running a red light. Be patient and wait for the traffic signal to cycle again.

- For those making large item purchases, be certain that they are properly tied down to avoid them being road debris by falling off or out of your vehicle.

- Always scan the traffic in front of you for stalled or slow moving vehicles.

- Keep a safe and reasonable following distance.

- Always use your turn signals when making a lane change.

- Be careful at all intersections and watch for pedestrians.

- Don't let your children run ahead in parking lots. They may not notice a moving vehicle driving or backing out of a parking space.

- When crossing at a crosswalk, be certain that all lanes of traffic have seen you; don't assume that every driver will automatically stop.

- To report a highway emergency, impaired driver, or stranded motorist, dial *NHP.