Douglas County agencies partner to hold drunk driving intervention training for Tahoe servers

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection (TDFP), state agencies, local non-profits and businesses are coming together to launch a campaign aimed to help our community stay safer by providing server intervention training and ride alternatives to those who are drinking and need to get home.

Call For A Ride, Stay Alive is a drunk driving awareness campaign that offers server intervention training to employees from casinos and other Stateline area businesses.

Stateline is preparing for those who plan to visit the Lake Tahoe Basin this holiday season and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and to follow the safety precautions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The holiday season is also the time of the year when drunk driving arrests and fatalities tend to increase, according to Douglas County.

“The holidays should be a celebration, not a tragic occasion from the death of a loved one because of a drunk-driving crash,” said Fire Marshal Guevin. “Our emergency responders do an incredible job, but they can’t turn back time. That one second, the little amount, could lead to a fatal decision.”

Douglas County also currently supports the state campaign ‘Zero Fatalities’. In addition, this campaign is a regional-effort to encourage people to make it to your destination alive by choosing safe ride alternatives, and utilizing education to those who serve alcohol. The campaign is also aimed at educating public facing workforce on when it is important to call law enforcement agencies for enforcement and public safety.

“The Sheriff’s Office has a zero-tolerance policy for driving intoxicated. We are commitment to keeping our roads free of drunk drivers so everyone can trust the roads are safe for them to get home,” said Sheriff Coverley. “One life is too many when are talking about impaired driving fatalities.”

Safe alternatives to driving impaired include:
Designate a sober driver
Plan to use public transportation, taxi, or a ride service
If you are somewhere safe, stay the night or “sleep it off”
If you see a drunk driver on the road, call 9-1-1

Remember, it is the most wonderful time of the year, but one poor decision to drink and drive could bring a devastating end to the holiday celebrations. Call for a ride this holiday season so you and others stay alive.

Server Intervention training will start on Tuesday, December 22 at 12:30 p.m. at the Hard Rock Casino Hotel. The training is being offered to casino employees and local businesses by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) and Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District as part of their drunk driving campaign in the Stateline, Nevada corridor.

“Call for a Ride. Stay Alive.” is a new anti-drunk driving campaign launched by DCSO, TDFPD and Dreu Murin and includes education and training for frontline servers. Servers will not only receive scenario-based training, but will be part of a regional effort to ensure the public’s safety, and aimed against drunk driving. If businesses or local agencies would like campaign material, please contact Murin at dreu@dreumurin.com.