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Starting Friday and running to Jan. 1, local and state police will conduct saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints looking for motorists who may be driving while intoxicated, police said.
The national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” effort works to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving through a combination of high-visibility enforcement and public education.
The program has been shown to save lives during a time of the year when impaired driving traditionally increases by nearly 10 percent. Last year, 27 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities in New Jersey were alcohol-related. Nationally, more than 10,000 people die each year in drunk driving crashes.
Police offer the advice for the holiday season:
• Take mass transit, a taxicab, or ask a sober friend to drive you home.
• Spend the night where the activity or party is held.
• If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone’s life, and inaction could cost a life.
• Always buckle-up, every ride. It’s your best defense against an impaired driver.
• If you are 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.
• Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel.
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