Trenton
- Attorney General Anne Milgram and Division
of Highway Traffic Safety Director Pam Fischer
today announced that law enforcement agencies
throughout New Jersey will conduct saturation
patrols and sobriety checkpoints during
the upcoming holiday season, as part of
the national "Over the Limit, Under
Arrest" year-end drunk driving crackdown.
"Through this concentrated enforcement
effort, we are sending a strong message
that we will not tolerate drinking and driving.
Law enforcement officers will enhance their
efforts to keep drunk drivers off the road
during this busy holiday travel time,"
Attorney General Milgram said.
Beginning Friday, December 7, 2007, and
running through Wednesday, January 2, 2008,
towns in every county in the state will
participate in this national initiative
designed to combat drunk driving during
one of the most dangerous travel times of
the year.
As
part of the initiative, which has been in
place since 1999, the Division will be providing
grants of $5,000 each to 82 municipalities.
However, all towns and cities have received
information on the program and are being
asked to run checkpoints and patrols during
this time period and report their results
to the Division. During the Summer DUI crackdown,
which ran the last two weeks of August,
2007, a record 96 percent of the state's
local police agencies participated in the
effort.
"We
are hoping to achieve 100 percent participation
from police agencies around the state,"
Fischer said. "This is a critical law
enforcement program that can save lives
during a time of the year when impaired
driving traditionally increases by nearly
10 percent."
Fischer
noted that during the 2006 year-end DUI
crackdown, 441 individuals were arrested
for driving under the influence. The effort,
which also helps law enforcement officers
identify other violations, resulted in 2,538
speeding citations and 1,445 seat belt summonses.
"By
working together, we can ensure that the
time New Jerseyans spend with their families
and friends this month is filled only with
fond memories, and that this will not be
a season marred by tragedy," Fischer
added. "There is simply no excuse to
drink and drive, and if a motorist decides
to make that choice, law enforcement officers
will be waiting."
The
Division of Highway Traffic Safety is providing
the following tips for motorists during
the holiday season:
- If
you're planning to drink with friends,
choose a designated driver before going
out. If a designated driver is not available,
plan to spend the night where the activity
is being held, call a sober family member
or friend to get you home safely, use
mass transit or a cab service.
-
Report impaired drivers by dialing #77.
Provide the location and a brief description
of the vehicle.
-
Always buckle up, every ride.
-
If you know someone who is impaired and
about to drive, take their keys and help
them make arrangements to arrive home
safely.
Additional
information on the "Over the Limit,
Under Arrest" crackdown and a list
of those police agencies receiving grants
from the Division of Highway Traffic Safety
for this program is available on the Division's
Web site, www.NJSafeRoads.com. |
