Crime & Safety

Cinnaminson to Crack Down on Drunken Drivers During Holidays

The police department got a state grant for extra patrols.

 

This holiday season, Cinnaminson Police will have sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols in town as part of the state's "Drive Sober, or Get Pulled Over" drunken driving enforcement campaign.

Cinnaminson received a $4,400 grant for the campaign for the extra patrols.

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"The Drive Sober campaign allows our officers to focus on the roadways for safe vehicular passage," said Cinnaminson's Public Safety Director Michael King. "It is imperative that everyone drives safely to prevent injuries or death at all times including the busy upcoming holiday season."

More than 400 law enforcement agencies in the state are participating in the campaign that runs until Jan. 2, 2013. The grants—which total more than $400,000—is from the Division of Highway Traffic Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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During December 2010, 30 percent of all fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes involved alcohol-impaired drivers, according to state data. Among those, 71 percent occured when drivers had nearly twice the legal limit blood alcohol concentration.

In 2011, there were 152 fatalities directly attributed to impaired driving in the state, accounting for 24 percent of the 627 total crash fatalities.

In the winter of 2011, the holiday crackdowns resulted in 1,877 driving while intoxicated arrests. In addition, participating police agencies issued 8,345 speeding summonses and 4,420 seat belt summonses, and more than 2,000 fugitives were apprehended during the mobilization.

Cinnaminson Police participated in the Drive Sober campaign earlier this year from Aug. 17 to Sept. 3. King reported there were 377 motor vehicle summons issues, 23 fugitive arrests, 2 drug arrests and 7 driving while intoxicated arrests.

The Division of Highway Traffic Safety offers the following advice to ensure a safe holiday travel season for those who choose to drink alcohol:

  • Take mass transit, a taxi or ask a sober friend to drive you home.
  • Spend the night rather than get behind the wheel.
  • Report impaired drivers to law enforcement. In New Jersey, 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 or escort you to your doorstep.


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