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The Division of Highway Traffic Safety (DHTS) has awarded more than $1.2 million to 165 law enforcement agencies throughout New Jersey for this year’s campaign, which runs through Jan. 2.
The money will go to “saturation patrols and high-visibility sobriety checkpoints,” DHTS Acting Director Gary Poedubicky said.
“Many people will be out during this busy holiday season, enjoying themselves and the holiday festivities, and we want everyone to be safe on our roadways,” Poedubicky said.
“If you are caught drinking and driving impaired, you will be arrested. No warnings. No excuses,” he said.
The Message
In New Jersey, a person is guilty of drunk driving if he or she operates a motor vehicle with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .08 percent or greater.
However, you still can be convicted of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor even when your BAC is lower than that.
If you consume any amount of alcohol and your driving is negatively impacted, you can be convicted of drunk driving.
Penalties for a first DWI conviction include a fine of up to $500 and a one-year driver’s license suspension. Violators can also expect auto insurance surcharges of several thousand dollars.
As Poedubicky noted, consuming even small amounts of alcohol dulls the senses, decreases reaction time, and hampers judgment, vision and alertness.
There were 830 people killed in crashes in the U.S. in December 2012 involving at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a BAC of .08 or higher; 26 of those deaths occurred on Christmas Day.
On average, a third (31%) of all crash fatalities in America involves drunk driving. That percentage almost always increases on Christmas Day.
“Drunk driving isn’t a victimless crime. You could kill yourself or someone else and face severe legal penalties,” Poedubicky said.
“It might not take as much alcohol as you think [to impair judgment],” he added. “So the safest approach is to only drive sober.
“If you plan on drinking at a holiday party, bar, or restaurant, let someone else do the driving – a sober friend, a taxi or public transportation.”
Last winter’s state-fueled crackdown produced 1,575 DWI arrests.
Participating police agencies issued 4,728 speeding summonses and 3,269 seat belt summonses — and took into custody 2,043 fugitives or people wanted on warrants.
The participating Bergen police agencies:
Bogota
Closter
East Rutherford
Elmwood Park
Englewood
Garfield
Glen Rock
Hackensack
Hillsdale
Mahwah
Montvale
New Milford
Ridgewood
River Vale
South Hackensack
Woodcliff Lake
Palisades Interstate Parkway Police
“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,” Ridgewood Police Chief John Ward said. “This initiative brings attention to the serious consequences of drunk driving and the grave danger those who choose to drink and drive pose to all who share the road with them.”
Last year, statistics show, 22% of all motor vehicle fatalities in New Jersey were alcohol-related.
Nationally, more than 10,000 people die each year in drunk-driving crashes, which costs an estimated $37 billion annually.
Authorities suggest:
•If you plan to drink, designate a driver before you go out who will not drink alcohol;
•Take mass transit, a taxi or ask a sober friend to drive you home;
•Spend the night where the activity is held;
•Report impaired drivers to law enforcement (dial #77);
•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 cab or have a sober friend or family member drive you to your doorstep.
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