NHP conducts holiday DUI checkpoint near Lake Tahoe in Douglas County

Submitted by Editor on Tue, 07/02/2013 - 10:48am
Chuck Allen, Nevada Highway Patrol

Several northern Nevada law enforcement agencies will be teaming up and “Joining Forces” this Independence Day as an additional security measure in providing for a safe holiday weekend.

On Thursday afternoon and evening, police officers from the Reno and Sparks Police Departments, deputies from the Washoe and Lyon County Sheriff’s Offices, and troopers from the Nevada Highway Patrol will be conducting the administrative road block on U.S. Highway 50 in Douglas County.

Motorists passing through the checkpoint will be briefly greeted by one of the law enforcement officers. Those motorists who show signs of alcohol and/or drug use will be directed to the secondary screening area for further evaluation. Once at the secondary screening area, standardized field sobriety tests will be administered and those who fail these tests will be placed under arrest.

Additionally, part of the initial screening area duties is to look for any traffic laws that are being ignored or broken. For example, drivers and passengers not wearing a seat belt, not utilizing a required child safety seat for a child riding in the vehicle, or talking or texting on a cell phone that is not hands-free may also be directed to the secondary screening area where a citation will be issued.

We would like everyone to have a safe and enjoyable weekend as many will be celebrating America’s birthday in various ways. If alcohol is going to be consumed, please do not operate a motor vehicle. With the high volume of traffic expected on Nevada’s roadways and highways, especially on the evening of the 4th, we want everyone to enjoy the festivities safely and responsibly.

Those planning on consuming alcohol should utilize public transportation or identify a safe and sober driver; not the person in the group who has consumed the least amount of alcohol.

The DUI checkpoint is funded by the “Joining Forces” grant secured by the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety and paid for by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.