Carson City’s Sheriff’s Office Joining Forces program to focus on impaired driving

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office will be cracking down on impaired driving during the holiday season as a part of its Joining Forces program.

Statewide, law enforcement will be boosting efforts until Jan. 3 to reduce drinking and driving incidents. Because of Christmas parties, work functions and New Year’s parties resulting increased alcohol consumption, residents need to have additional options to get home safe, said Carson Sgt. Earl Mays.

“Please be responsible when attending your functions,” Mays said. “Please don’t drink and drive, even if you had a few. A few is typically a few to many.”

The Sheriff’s Office advises party-goers to designate a sober driver or take a taxi or Uber.

The cost of a DUI can cost a driver around $10,000.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that drivers at a breath alcohol level of 0.08 percent, the legal limit in every state, were about four times more likely to crash than sober drivers. Drivers with an alcohol level of 0.15 percent were 12 times more likely to crash than sober drivers. Marijuana users were about 25 percent more likely to be involved in a crash than drivers with no evidence of marijuana use.

“As a simple reminder, don’t drink and drive,” Mays said.

For resources and laws pertaining to impaired driving and riding, please visit http://www.zerofatalitiesnv.com/dont-drive-impaired.