(Trenton)
- No impaired driver should feel safe
from the eyes of law enforcement in New
Jersey, as police gear up for a continued
year-end crackdown. The holiday season
between Thanksgiving and New Year’s
is one of the deadliest and most dangerous
times of the year due to an increase in
drunk driving. The Division of Highway
Traffic Safety has issued enforcement
grants to approximately forty police departments
centered in Bergen, Essex, Middlesex,
and Monmouth counties, along with one
department each in Ocean and Union counties.
The crackdown will run from December 5,
2005 to January 4, 2006. However, police
agencies statewide have already beefed
up their forces for the deadly holiday
period.
Last year, 270 of the 731 motor vehicle
fatalities in New Jersey were alcohol-related.
That comprises 37% of the total number
of deaths. Nationally, impaired drivers
kill over 17,000 people each year. The
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
says 97% of Americans view drinking and
driving by others as a threat to their
families and themselves and they support
tougher enforcement.
“During
the holidays, our goal is to make sure
that you continue to live so that you
can enjoy more celebrations with your
family. Alcohol will be consumed at holiday
celebrations and office parties, and you
must designate a sober driver before the
parties begin. Otherwise, you are putting
your life and safety in jeopardy, and
risking a DUI prosecution. Please don’t
drink and drive.”
“Driving
impaired is serious and it’s against
the law,” said Division Director
Roberto Rodriguez. “Law enforcement
will show zero tolerance and violators
will be spending their money on bail,
court, lawyers and towing fees instead
of buying holiday presents. Being involved
in an alcohol-related crash can lead to
tragedy, serious legal issues and towering
medical bills.”
“Every
year we talk about the increased police
enforcement, the extra patrols looking
for aggressive, drunk and drowsy drivers...and
that is all true for this year,”
said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent
of the New Jersey State Police. “But
we want drivers to take responsibility
for their own safety on the roads of New
Jersey. The best holiday travel season
is assured when drivers take matters into
their own hands to prevent crashes,”
said Fuentes.
Colonel Fuentes has some common sense
guidelines to help motorists make their
trips safe: Leave a little early to avoid
frustrations if you hit traffic delays.
Get enough rest before you drive. Pull
into a rest area to nap if you need to.
Check your vehicle’s tires, lamps
and wipers to ensure they are serviceable.
Make sure you have the basic safety items
such as a jack, a good spare tire, a flashlight
and reflectors. Maintain a safe distance
between your vehicle and the one in front
of you, and obey all traffic laws.
The
Division of Highway Traffic Safety has
the following tips for drivers:
-
Choose a designated driver. If you’re
impaired, call a sober friend or family
member to get you home safely
- If
available, use your community’s
Sober Rides program
- Spend
the night where the activity is being
held and sleep it off
- Report
impaired drivers to law enforcement
- Always
buckle up - it’s your best defense
against an impaired driver
-
Remember, the holidays should be a time
of joy. Don’t destroy them by
driving drunk. Law enforcement statewide
is watching for impaired drivers.
#
# #
List
of Grantees for Year-End ‘You Drink
and Drive. You Lose’
- Bergen
County:
Bogota PD
Englewood PD
Fair Lawn PD
Hasbrouk Heights PD
Leonia PD
Mahwah PD
North Arlington PD
Palisades Park PD
Woodcliff Lake PD
Wood Ridge PD
- Essex
County:
Belleville PD
Cedar Grove PD
Essex Fells PD
Fairfield PD
Millburn PD
Montclair PD
Newark PD
North Caldwell PD
South Orange PD
West Caldwell PD
-
Middlesex County:
Edison PD
Highland Park PD
Metuchen PD
Middlesex Boro PD
Monroe PD
North Brunswick PD
Perth Amboy PD
Plainsboro PD
Piscataway PD
Sayreville PD
South River PD
- Monmouth
County:
Asbury Park PD
Atlantic Highlands PD
Hazlet PD
Holmdel PD
Howell PD
Middletown PD
Neptune Twp PD
Red Bank PD
Ocean County:
Jackson Twp PD
- Union
County:
Rahway PD
#
# #
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