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Crime & Safety

Hazlet Police Crack Down on Drunk Driving

Local law enforcement will participate in statewide campaign of increased sobriety checkpoints and public awareness, August 17 - September 3.

 

Hazlet Township law enforcement has announced they will be cracking down on drunk drivers as part of the summer 2012 "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign. Beginning August 17 thru September 3, local and state police will conduct sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols to identify motorists who may be driving while intoxicated, according to a release.

As part of a concerted national effort launched in 1999, the program's aim is to combat drunk driving during some of the most traveled times of the year, including the Labor Day holiday. They hope to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving through high-visibility enforcement and public education via posters, banners, and mobile video displays.

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"Many people believe that after a few drinks they're still dafe to drive," said Gary Poedubicky, Acting Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety.

"Even one drink can impair your judgment and reaction time, putting not only yourself but everyone else on the road in danger."

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Law enforcement agencies participating in the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over 2012" initiative offer the following advice:

  • If you plan to drink, designate a driver 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. In NJ, drivers may dial #77 to report a drunk or aggressive driver.
  • 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.  

In 2010, alcohol-impaired fatalities accounted for 20% of New Jersey's motor vehicle accidents, according to the NJ Division of Highway Traffic Safety. As part of this initiative, NJDHTS provides grants to local law enforcement agencies throughout the state to run the two-week campaign.

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