REMSA JOINS FORCES WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT IN INSURING OCCUPANT SAFETY

May 23, 2002 - REMSA (Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority) will be joining forces with Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and the Reno Police Department to insure occupant safety during Emergency Medical Services Week on Friday, May 24 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. on the corner of Wrondel and Plumb Lane. REMSA will conduct Point of Impact child safety seat inspections while Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and the Reno Police Department conducts seat belt checks and a driving under the influence (DUI) checkpoint for every car that comes by.

“Occupant safety applies to all ages “No Exceptions No Excuses” and what REMSA and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and the Reno Police Department want to insure is that everyone in our community travels safely,” said Eric Guevin, Director of SAFE KIDS Washoe County and Director of Education for REMSA. “The main goal is public education and awareness. We are taking the checkpoints very serious and law enforcement will issue a ticket if they see that seat belts are not being worn. If someone is intoxicated, they will be ticketed and arrested at that time.”

According to the Office of Traffic Safety, seat belt usage in Nevada has dropped to 74.5% from an all time high of 79.8% in 1999. 239 people were killed in traffic crashes in 2000; 158 or 66% were not wearing a seat belt. According to the National SAFE KIDS, 1,765 child occupants ages 14 and under died in motor vehicle crashes in 1998. In 1999, an estimated 272,000 were injured because they were unrestrained or improperly restrained. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 16,653 alcohol related fatalities occurred in 2000, 40% of total traffic fatalities for the year.

“Our goal is to drive home the message of traffic safety in any way that we can,” Guevin said. “There are too many Nevadans out there that are not following the rules or playing it safe. One individual’s carelessness can put many other innocent lives in danger. All we are trying to do is keep everyone safe. Collectively, we’ll be able to do that more efficiently.”

REMSA is a private, non-profit organization that provides the region with Advanced Life Support Paramedic ambulance services, the Care Flight emergency helicopter program, and emergency medical dispatch services. Additionally, REMSA provides excellent patient care with no taxpayer support or other subsidies.

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