Increased patrols of roadways during holiday period

For the next two weeks, the Douglas County, Carson City and Lyon County sheriff’s offices will increase patrolling for unsafe and distracted drivers.The sheriff’s offices in the three jurisdictions received federal grant funds, said Douglas Sgt. Pat Brooks.“This grant will focus officers’ efforts on seat belt usage, pedestrian safety, distracted driving, speeding and the dangers of driving under the influence. Douglas County Sheriff’s Office shares the same goals as the other 28 participating law enforcement agencies of ‘zero fatalities,’” Brooks said.The increased patrols begin today. Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Barbara Stapleton said larger volumes of traffic are anticipated on the roads and highways during Thanksgiving.“We want every motorist to know the importance of buckling up while driving or riding in a motor vehicle. In an effort to increase seat belt usage, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has provided law enforcement agencies and departments of public safety with a federal grant to fund increased patrol throughout the state,” Stapleton said. “Click-it or Ticket” is the country’s most successful seat belt enforcement campaign, helping create the highest observed national seat belt usage rate of 82 percent, and 92 percent for Nevada, Stapleton said.Teens have higher fatality and injury rates in motor vehicle crashes than any other age group, she said.“One of the most effective measures a teen can take to prevent injury and death in a crash is to wear a seat belt, but the majority of fatally injured teens are not buckled up,” Stapleton said.“While observed seat belt use for teens has risen gradually, the majority of 16-20-year-old vehicle occupants killed in car crashes continue to be unrestrained at 62 percent nationally, and 59 percent in Nevada,” she said.