NHP and CHP participate in "I-80 Challenge" to target reckless and distracted drivers

The California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) Valley Division and Golden Gate Divisions, having jurisdiction over the Sacramento regions and San Francisco Bay Area, are partnering with the Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) to participate in an “I-80 Challenge.”

This effort aims to reduce distracted and reckless driving along the 615 miles of Interstate 80 from San Francisco, Calif. to the Nevada/Utah Stateline from Monday, August 27 – Labor Day, September 3, 2018, by enhancing traffic safety, enforcement, and education along this section of the National Highway System.

The “I-80 Challenge” coincides with the CHP’s annual Labor Day Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP), which begins at 6:01 p.m. Friday, August 31. This effort also coincides with the upcoming Nugget Rib Cook-Off in Sparks, Burning Man in the Black Rock Desert and the Labor Day Holiday. During this time, motorists will see an increased number of State Troopers on Nevada’s highways.

The CHP and NHP are asking motorists to accept the “I-80 Challenge” by promoting awareness and safe driving along the route. During the “I-80 Challenge,” the CHP will increase traffic safety operations to educate and, if necessary, take appropriate enforcement action on drivers who violate traffic laws along Interstate 80 from San Francisco through Berkeley, Vallejo, Davis, Sacramento, Truckee, and Northern Nevada all the way to the Utah Stateline.

“In the wake of the recent loss of one of our officers and the motorist he had contacted on the shoulder of I-80, we are pleased to partner with the Nevada Highway Patrol and other Northern California law enforcement agencies in challenging all motorists to drive safely,” said CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley. “We hope to accomplish our goal by educating motorists about the leading causes of traffic collisions and encouraging motorists to follow the rules of the road and drive safely.”

"Both agencies see tragic and senseless death and injury on Interstate 80 every day," said Major Rob Stepien of the NHP. "Many cases recently, being associated with reckless and distracted driving. Both agencies hope this unprecedented and focused team effort will be a wakeup call to all users of this important interstate that a moment of distracted driving can change their own and someone else's life forever. These strategic combined efforts of both agencies will be the start of many more joint operations in the furtherance of safety."

A National Highway Transportation Safety Administration report has indicated that cell phones are the most frequent form of distraction, and at any given moment during daylight hours, 542,000 passenger vehicles are being driven by people using handheld cell phones. Although this trend is highest among drivers, aged 24-years and younger, each day in the United States approximately nine people are killed and more than 1,000 injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver. Of additional concern, is the National Safety Council’s report suggesting the number of distracted driving-related collisions and fatalities are vastly underreported.

The CHP and NHP remind motorists to follow these basic traffic safety rules: always wear a seat belt, drive at a speed safe for conditions, eliminate distractions while driving, and always designate a sober driver.