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Trenton
-- New Jersey law enforcement officers will
be working this St. Patrick’s Day to
keep intoxicated drivers off the road and
all motorists safe from the tragic consequences
of drunk driving, Division of Highway Traffic
Safety Director Pam Fischer and State Police
Superintendent Rick Fuentes announced today.
“There’s
simply no excuse to drink and drive. If you
plan to attend a St. Patrick’s Day celebration
at a local restaurant, tavern or residence,
make sure you have a designated driver before
heading out,” Fischer said. “You’ll
not only be ensuring your safety, but the
safety of everyone else who is on the road
with you.”
"We
encourage people to celebrate St. Patrick's
Day without consuming alcoholic beverages
and driving. We don't want safety to be an
afterthought during this festive day,"
said State Police Superintendent Rick Fuentes.
An
uptick in pedestrian fatalities during the
first two months of this year is also prompting
officials to urge motorists and pedestrians
to be on the alert for each other to prevent
crashes, injuries and deaths. In 2008, 594
individuals lost their lives in traffic crashes
in New Jersey, and 137 of those killed were
pedestrians. For the time period January 1,
2009 through March 8, 2009, 118 individuals
have lost their lives in traffic crashes --
46 of those killed were pedestrians. During
the same time period in 2008, 28 pedestrians
lost their lives as a result of a traffic
crash.
“Motorists
must be alert to pedestrians year-round, and
in particular on nights when celebrations
are taking place and people may be drinking
alcohol,” Director Fischer added.
“If you’re intoxicated and
traveling on foot, the safest way to get home
is to take a cab or have a sober friend or
family member drive you to your doorstep.”
"Over-consumption
of alcohol can lead to deadly consequences,
not just on St. Patrick's Day, but every day,"
said Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control
Director Jerry Fischer. "The Division
of Alcoholic Beverage Control is asking patrons
to be aware of the amount of alcohol they
consume and reminding establishments that
serve alcohol that it is their responsibility
not to serve intoxicated patrons."
Motorists are also asked this St. Patrick’s
Day 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. Established 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 St. Patrick’s Day celebration
are also reminded to:
-
Use mass transit, a cab or car service to
get to and from their destination.
- Immediately
report drunk drivers and drunk pedestrians
you may see on the road to law enforcement.
- Never
let a friend drive drunk. If you know someone
is about to drive while impaired, take his
or her keys and arrange for a ride home.
-
Buckle-up, every ride.
Additional
information on drunk driving prevention and
enforcement programs is available on the Division’s
web site at www.njsaferoads.com.
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