Westfield Police Crack Down on Drunk Driving This Holiday Season

This holiday season, the Westfield Police Department will again be out in full force cracking down on drunk drivers with aggressive Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement.

From now through January 1, 2014, the Westfield Police Department will be among many state and local law enforcement agencies watching for drunk drivers to help keep roads safe for holiday travelers.

The Westfield Police Department is giving fair warning to all partygoers. “You’ll see us making lots of stops during this highly visible enforcement period and if we suspect anyone is driving while intoxicated, officers will show zero tolerance for drunk driving,” said Westfield Police Chief David Wayman.

David C. Wayman Chief of Police E-mail: chief@wpdnj.org

425 E Broad Street Westfield, NJ 07090 Telephone: 908-789-4000

Unfortunately, the excitement and celebrations of the holiday season can often lead to terrible decisions – and serious legal consequences.

Data shows the holiday season is a particularly deadly time due to the increased number of drunk drivers on the roads and the Westfield Police Department is prepared to stop and arrest any drunk driver it sees to keep roads safe.

Nationally, in the month of December from 2007 to 2011, there were 4,169 people killed in crashes that involved drivers with blood alcohol concentrations of .08 grams per deciliter or higher.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 32,367 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes across the nation in 2011, and 31 percent (9,878) of those fatalities occurred in drunk-driving-related crashes.

“The December holiday season is the ‘most wonderful time of the year” and we are going to keep our roads safe for travelers heading to visit friends and family,” said Chief Wayman.

“This holiday, we will show zero tolerance for drunk drivers on the road. If you choose to drive drunk, we will see you, we will stop you, and we will arrest you,” the chief added.

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Drunk drivers often face jail time, the loss of their driver licenses, higher insurance rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses ranging from attorney fees, court costs, car towing and repairs, to lost wages due to time off from work. Even worse, a drunk driver can cause a traffic

crash that claims someone’s life, or their own.

Increased enforcement efforts by the Westfield Police Department will include not additional police patrols, but also a DWI Checkpoint on Saturday, December 28, 2013, during the late evening and early morning hours.

The DWI Checkpoint is presently being considered for one or more of the following locations: Central Avenue, East Broad Street, North Avenue, South Avenue and Springfield Avenue.

Chief Wayman and the Westfield Police Department offer these simple tips to keep the holidays happy and safe:

Even one drink can impair your judgment and increase the risk of getting arrested for driving drunk – or worse, the risk of having a crash while driving.

If you will be drinking, do not plan on driving. Plan ahead and designate a sober driver before the party begins.

If you have been drinking, do not drive. Call a taxi, phone a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation.

Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel.

If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone’s life and inaction could cost a life.