Local police agencies will be cracking down on impaired drivers during the holiday season, beginning Nov. 17 and continuing through Jan. 2, 2018, with stationary sobriety checkpoints and additional roving driving while intoxicated (DWI) patrols.
[slideshow_deploy id=’899′]
New Jersey’s Office of the Attorney General’s Division of Highway Traffic Safety doles out grant funding to many agencies state wide to up patrols, but most agencies participate regardless if they receive special grants. The enforcement campaign typically happens bi-annually.
“The holiday season in particular is traditionally times of social gatherings which include alcohol. This campaign will involve increased impaired driving enforcement, which will save lives on roadways,” state organizers said.
Over the summer enforcement campaign from Aug. 18 to Sept. 4, statewide there were 1,382 DWI arrests; police also issued 7,767 speeding and 4,449 seat belt summonses over 17,000 of enforcement man-hours, including 17 fixed DWI checkpoints, according to division of highway traffic safety statistics.
That same campaign including the following violations in Bergen County, across 70 police agencies: 59 DWI (alcohol); 18 DWI (drugs); 278 seat belt; 26 child restraint; 684 speeding; 48 reckless driver; 221 cell phone/texting; 410 careless driving; 419 suspended license; and 7,576 other violations.
Safety tips for travel this holiday season
• If you plan to drink, designate a driver, someone who will not drink alcohol, before going out.
• Take mass transit, a driving service or ask a sober friend to drive you home.
• Spend the night where the activity is held.
• Report impaired drivers to law enforcement.
• Always buckle up, every ride, regardless of your seating position in the vehicle. It’s your best defense against an impaired driver.
• If you’re intoxicated and traveling on foot, the safest way to get home is to take a driving service or have a sober friend or family member drive you to your doorstep.
[slideshow_deploy id=’899′]