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The state Division of Highway Traffic Safety is awarding $4,000 grants to 21 police departments in and around the area for “The Sobriety Blitz” — named for a football tactic in which a defensive team sends additional rushers after the quarterback or running back.
“Each police department will be able to use the $4,000 grant for increased patrols and checkpoints from January 28 to February 4,” said Acting State Attorney General John Hoffman during an official announcement of the crackdown this morning at Hackensack University Medical Center.
Data show Super Bowl Sunday rivals New Year’s Eve and other major holidays for DWI arrests, following parties at homes, bars and restaurants, Hoffman said.
And with more than 400,000 visitors expected in the area, stepped-up patrols and enforcement are necessary, he said.
“This initiative has enforcement components we believe will help prevent drunk driving and stop those who have already made the dangerous choice of driving while impaired,” Hoffman said. “In other words, we will be playing offense and defense.”
Over the past decade, nearly 1,700 motorits were arrested in New Jersey for driving while impaired on the New Year’s holiday and about 1,500 on July 4th.
Compare that against 1,600 arrested on Super Bowl Sundays over thsat same time period, Hoffman said.
What’s more, he said, there’s always a spike whenever there’s a New Jersey connection.
In 2012 and 2008, when the Giants won the big game, State Police made 182 and 176 DWI arrests in the Garden State.
The highest number recorded was the 183 NJSP arrests in 2005, when the New England Patriots beat the Philadelphia Eagles. Depending on how you draw the map, New Jersey is between the two teams’ fan bases.
The agencies receiving the grants include East Rutherford, Elmwood Park, Fot Lee, Garfield, Lyndhurst, Ridgefield Park, Rutherford and Teaneck, as well as North Bergen, Jersey City, Clifton and Passaic.
The others: Belleville, Bloomfield, the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, Kearny, Linden, Montclair, Roselle, Springfield and Woodbridge.
“My message to all those who will attend a Super Bowl Party is simply this: Make sure you have a game plan – such as assigning a designated driver before the party begins,” Hoffman said. “Under no circumstances should you drink and drive, even if you have only one drink.
“It’s not a risk worth taking, and it will put you, your loved ones and others in great danger.”
For three weeks, the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control and New Jersey State Police have together pursued investigations of 63 licensed establishments throughout northern New Jersey. Investigators from both agencies have been looking for both criminal and administrative offenses, including service to intoxicated and underage drinkers, use of illegal promoters and human trafficking. The ABC and State Police will continue their efforts through February 2.
Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control Director Michael Halfacre said these investigations have yielded 15 arrests for service to underage persons and resulted in the seizure of an illegal firearm, counterfeit money and narcotics paraphernalia.
In addition, evidence taken from these establishments will likely lead to administrative charges for major books violations and use of illegal promoters, he said.
“These promoters are of particular concern because they often bring with them undesirable and unruly patrons to their parties, who can cause havoc at bars and restaurants,” Halfacre said.
“The intent of these combined efforts is to stop drunk driving before it can start,” Halfacre added. “In many cases, police investigating fatal drunk driving crashes report to us the driver in those tragedies had their last drink at a bar or restaurant.”
Attorney General Hoffman said enforcement actions are not enough to keep drivers safe and sober and that support from the National Football League and the TEAM Coalition, who had representatives on hand at the hospital, would be vital to ensure drivers are responsible.
The TEAM Coalition is an alliance of sports, entertainment, media, government and alcoholic beverage organizations that work together to promote responsible drinking and positive fan behavior at sports and entertainment facilities.
The NFL and the TEAM Coalition have developed and promoted a message of responsible drinking: “Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.” The Division of Highway Traffic Safety has urged chiefs of police in every municipality in New Jersey to display that message in their Variable Messaging Boards through February 3.
Division of Highway Traffic Safety Acting Director Gary Poedubicky offered some pre-game tips:
- Designate a sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys.
- Consider using a taxi cab or car service, or ask a sober family member or friend to come and get you, or spend the night where you are.
- Report impaired drivers in New Jersey by dialing #77. You’ll be asked to provide the location and a brief description of the vehicle.
- 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 or escort you to your doorstep.
For those individuals hosting a party:
- Make sure there’s ample food and non-alcoholic beverages available.
- Be sure that all guests have designated their drivers in advance, or help to arrange ride-sharing with sober drivers.
- Have the phone number of a local cab company available, and always take the keys away from anyone who may be thinking of driving after drinking.
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