East Windsor Police Department Receives $5,000 “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Grant

East Windsor Township Police Department is among 98 law enforcement agencies in New Jersey that received a $5,000 grant as part of the State’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” initiative, according to a news release.

Attorney General Paula Dow and Division of Highway Traffic Safety Acting Director Gary Poedubicky announced Monday that the crackdown will run through Jan. 2 and will include sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols.

“The decision to drive drunk is not only illegal, but reckless and irresponsible behavior, one that puts motorists choosing to do so and the public at large in great danger,” Dow said in a news release. “The winter holiday saturation patrols and checkpoints will be deployed to apprehend those who ignore our warnings and ultimately to save lives.”

Last winter 2,115 Driving While Intoxicated arrests were made during the crackdown, and 1,959 arrests were made in 2009, the release said.

“Drunk driving is an issue that affects all demographics, whether it is age, race or sex. But historically, statistics have shown that 18-34 year-old males were the major at-risk group and I believe the transition to ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ is another step in the right direction to reduce and eventually eliminate drunk driving in that demographic,” Poedubicky said in the release.

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.

A list of police agencies receiving mobilization grants is available on the Division of Hightway Traffic Safety’s website.