Nevada Police Launch Statewide DUI Crackdown After Deadly Crashes

Coordinated enforcement aims to raise awareness and save lives through increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Police across Nevada are launching a joint campaign to crack down on impaired driving after two recent DUI crashes left a teenager dead and a mother and child fighting for their lives. The coordinated enforcement effort will involve officers from multiple departments, including the Nevada Highway Patrol, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, North Las Vegas Police, and Henderson Police, working together on DUI blitzes, sobriety checkpoints, and other measures to target impaired drivers and riders.

Why it matters

The crackdown comes in response to a troubling spike in deadly DUI crashes in Nevada, underscoring the urgent need to address the public safety threat posed by impaired driving. The campaign aims to raise awareness and deter impaired driving through heightened enforcement, with the ultimate goal of preventing further tragedies on Nevada's roads.

The details

The joint task force will conduct coordinated DUI enforcement operations, utilizing LVMPD air units, phlebotomists, ID technicians, and dispatchers to apprehend impaired drivers. The campaign was prompted by two recent high-profile crashes: on Sunday, a driver under the influence hit a family on the sidewalk, critically injuring a woman and toddler, while on Saturday, a 17-year-old pedestrian was killed by an RV driver who fled the scene but was later arrested for DUI.

  • The crackdown will run from February 10 to February 22, 2026.
  • The two deadly DUI crashes that prompted the enforcement campaign occurred on February 5 and February 9, 2026.

The players

Nevada Highway Patrol

The state law enforcement agency responsible for patrolling Nevada's highways and interstates, and a key participant in the coordinated DUI crackdown.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

The largest police department in Nevada, serving the Las Vegas metropolitan area, and a lead agency in the statewide DUI enforcement effort.

North Las Vegas Police Department

The police department serving the city of North Las Vegas, which is participating in the coordinated DUI crackdown alongside other Nevada law enforcement agencies.

Henderson Police Department

The police department serving the city of Henderson, Nevada, and a partner in the statewide DUI enforcement campaign.

Erin Breen

The director of the UNLV Road Equity Alliance, who warned drivers and pedestrians to remain vigilant due to the ongoing threat of impaired driving in Nevada.

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What they’re saying

“To the people who are conscientious drivers, never go on a green light in our town. Always look to your left, make sure every vehicle that could potentially come through that intersection and take your life is stopped, because it's a huge problem.”

— Erin Breen, Director, UNLV Road Equity Alliance (fox5vegas.com)

“Getting people to understand that it's not hyperbole. We're not making this stuff up. We're not trying to scare you. We're talking realities. This could very well happen to you. I think the most important thing is to try to get people to plan ahead and have a plan for making sure that they're safely traveling.”

— Erin Breen, Director, UNLV Road Equity Alliance (fox5vegas.com)

What’s next

The campaign will continue through February 22, 2026, with the goal of raising awareness and deterring impaired driving through increased enforcement and sobriety checkpoints across Nevada.

The takeaway

This coordinated DUI crackdown underscores the urgent need to address the ongoing public safety threat posed by impaired driving in Nevada, as evidenced by the recent deadly crashes. By working together, law enforcement agencies aim to save lives and change behaviors through heightened enforcement and public education efforts.