New Joining Forces campaign focuses on distracted driving

Courtesy Nevada Highway Patrol

Between July 20 and August 3, 2020, Nevada’s law enforcement agencies throughout the state will be Joining Forces and citing distracted drivers.

Nevada law clearly states that any use of a handheld electronic device—cell phone, mp3 player, GPS device, etc.—while driving is illegal and offenders will be pulled over and cited. Nevada’s ban on handheld devices while driving went into effect Jan. 1, 2012, and still, law enforcement continues to spot and cite offenders every day.

The Governors Highway Safety Association provides the following tips to help limit driving distractions and increase safety:

• Turn it off. Turn your phone off or switch to silent mode before you get in the car

• X the Text. Don’t ever text and drive, surf the web or read your email while driving. It is dangerous and against the law in most states

• Spread the word. Set up a special message to tell callers that you are driving and you’ll get back to them as soon as possible, or sign up for a service that offers this

• If you need to make a call, find a legal and safe place to pull over and park first

• Use your passengers. Ask a passenger to make the call for you

• Prepare. Review maps and directions before you start to drive. If you need help when you are on the road, ask a passenger to help or pull over to a safe location to review the map/directions again

• Secure your pets. Pets can be a big distraction in the car. Always secure your pets properly before you start to drive

• Keep the kids safe. Pull over to a safe location to address situations with your children in the car

• Focus on the task at hand. Refrain from smoking, eating, drinking, reading and any other activity that takes your mind and eyes off the road.

Taking your eyes off the road for even one second can change your life or someone else’s life forever. The Nevada Highway Patrol urges you to be a safe, distraction-free driver. For more information about Nevada’s distracted driving laws, visit www.ZeroFatalitiesNV.com.