East Windsor Police to Participate in Nationwide Drunk Driving Crackdown

The East Windsor Police Department is among more than 400 local law enforcement agencies throughout the state receiving a grant as part of the national “Drive Sober, or Get Pulled Over” initiative, the Division of Highway Traffic Safety announced on Wednesday.

Each local law enforcement agency, including the East Windsor Police Department, will receive $4,400. A total of $686,400 is being distributed for the initiative, which will take place from Aug. 16-Sept. 2, the Division of Highway Traffic Safety announced.

“We want to remind everyone that getting behind the wheel drunk is a terrible idea,” Division of Highway Traffic Safety Acting Director Gary Poedubicky said in a prepared statement. “Unfortunately, not only does drinking impair your ability to operate a vehicle safely, it also impairs your judgment and good sense about whether you can, or should drive.  If you have any doubt about your sobriety, do not get behind the wheel.  If you do chose to drive impaired, you will be arrested.  No warnings. No excuses.”

The end of the initiative coincides with Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 30-Sept. 2, when Poedubicky expects a high volume of traffic on the roads.

A total of 138 people were killed nationwide in drunk driving accidents over the Labor Day Weekend of 2011, Poedubicky said. He added that 83 percent of those accidents occurred between 6 p.m. and 5:59 a.m., and that 42 percent of those killed between the ages of 18 and 34 had been drinking.

“Research has shown that high-visibility enforcement like the ‘Drive Sober, or Get Pulled Over’ campaign reduces drunk driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent.  By joining this nationwide effort, we will make New Jersey’s roadways safer for everyone throughout the Labor Day period,” Poedubicky said.

A person’s first DWI arrest can result in fines of up to $500, 30 days in jail, license suspension for one year and court costs. Subsequent DWI arrests carry stiffer penalties, Poedubicky said.

During last year’s initiative, 1,459 DWI arrests were made statewide, Poedubicky said. There were also 6,550 tickets for speeding; 4,258 tickets for seatbelt violations; 3,193 tickets for driving with a suspended license; and 947 tickets for reckless driving.

Law enforcement agencies also apprehended about 2,000 fugitives during the initiative, Poedubicky said.

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

• 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 all law enforcement agencies receiving a mobilization grant is available at the Division’s web site at, http://www.nj.gov/oag/hts/downloads/DSOGPO_08-2013_Grant_Recipients.pdf.