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Trenton
-- 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 “Over the Limit, Under Arrest”
year-end, drunk driving crackdown.
Between now and January 2, 2009, police
agencies throughout 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 92 law enforcement
agencies. 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.
“We’re
hoping to achieve 100 percent participation
by police agencies across 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. The initiative calls attention
not only to the serious fines and penalties
drunk drivers can face, but the grave danger
these motorists pose to everyone on the
road.”
Impaired
drivers kill nearly 18,000 people on our
nation’s roadways each year. In 2007,
205 people were killed as a result of alcohol-related
crashes in New Jersey. That number represents
28 percent of the 724 traffic fatalities
reported in the State. Between December
21, 2007 and January 2, 2008, there were
23 fatalities on New Jersey roadways, with
14 of those individuals killed in crashes
that were alcohol or drug-related.
In
addition, Fischer noted that 10 of the individuals
killed during that same time period last
year were pedestrians, adding that all motorists
should remain alert to the increase in pedestrian
traffic during the holidays.
“By
working together, we can ensure that pedestrians,
motorists and their passengers are safe
this holiday season,” Fischer added.
“Simply by buckling up, every ride;
driving the posted speed limit; avoiding
distractions; and never drinking and driving,
we can prevent crashes, injuries and deaths.”
Fischer
noted that during the 2007 year-end DWI
crackdown, 2,038 individuals were arrested
for drunk driving. Law enforcement agencies
also issued 4,407 seat belt citations, 298
summonses for failure to use a child restraint,
and 12,316 speeding citations during last
year’s holiday crackdown.
Motorists
are asked this holiday season to subscribe
to the pledge of the Ensign John R. Elliott
HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers: drive
sober, be a designated driver and don’t
let your friends drive drunk. Under the
effort, local businesses and community groups,
law enforcement agencies, and schools work
together to keep drunk drivers off the road.
Started in New Jersey by the Elliott family
following the tragic death of their son
John in a head-on collision with a drunk
driver, the campaign has become a national
model for preventing drunk driving.
Individuals
attending a holiday celebration are also
reminded to:
- use
mass transit or a cab service to get to
or from your destination.
-
report impaired drivers in New Jersey
by dialing #77. You’ll be asked
to provide the location and a brief description
of the vehicle.
- always
buckle up, every ride.
-
never let a friend drive drunk. 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” year-end
crackdown is available on the Division of
Highway Traffic Safety’s web site,
at www.njsaferoads.com.
A list of police agencies receiving grants
for the mobilization can be found at www.nj.gov/oag/hts/grants/grantees.html.
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