East Windsor Police To Crack Down On Holiday Drunk Driving

EAST WINDSOR, NJ — Anyone who goes out drinking for the holidays will want to think about getting a designated driver.

The East Windsor Police Department will be cracking down on drunk driving as part of the statewide Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck and the Division of Highway Traffic Safety announced.

East Windsor Police was among 106 law enforcement agencies to receive the grant.

The police department got a $6,000 grant from the Division of Highway Traffic Safety, according to the Attorney General's Office. The campaign runs from Friday, Dec. 3 through Jan. 1.

The State crackdown on impaired driving is part of a nationwide effort to reduce traffic fatalities during the holiday season when statistics show increased potential for crashes.

The campaign's goal is to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving through high-visibility enforcement and increased public education.

"Let me be clear — those who drive while impaired will face serious consequences," Bruck said in a media release. "Getting behind the wheel drunk or high puts the driver, their passengers, and the public in jeopardy. Our traffic safety campaign will help everyone to enjoy the holiday season—responsibly."

Eric Heitmann, Division of Highway Traffic Safety Director said that driving drunk or high during the holiday season, was "selfish, dangerous, and illegal."

"The goal of our Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over holiday campaign is to protect the motoring public and save lives by raising awareness of the risks and penalties associated with impaired driving and cracking down on violators. Today we're giving everyone fair warning that the campaign launches on Friday and anyone driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can expect to be pulled over and arrested," Heitmann said.

Crashes involving drunk drivers accounted for nearly one-third of all traffic crash fatalities nationwide in 2019, claiming the lives of 10,142 that year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Drunk driving fatalities occurred more frequently during the Christmas and New Year's Day holiday periods that year than during any other holiday period, officials said.

In New Jersey in 2019, crashes involving drunk drivers accounted for nearly a quarter of all traffic crash fatalities, claiming the lives of 129 people that year, officials said.

Last year, the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over holiday campaign resulted in 590 DUI arrests (alcohol and/or drugs) statewide. Participating police agencies issued 3,121 and 817 summonses for speeding and seat belt violations, respectively.