The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign will run through the end of the year to prevent impaired-driving
According to Chief of Police Patrick Gurcsik, the Washington Township Police Department has made more than 100 driving under the influence arrests so far this year. This holiday season, Washington Township will have increased DUI enforcement patrols through New Year’s Day to prevent drug and alcohol-impaired driving.
Washington Township was one of 16 municipal police departments in Gloucester County to receive a share of the $45,000 grant distributed by the state Division of Highway Traffic Safety as part of the statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over 2017 Year-End Holiday Impaired Driving Crackdown” campaign. Gurcsik said the funding allows the department to schedule almost 40 additional shifts of roving saturation patrols targeting impaired drivers. Officers assigned to the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift were directed to focus patrols on DUI enforcement, with the goal of increased traffic safety and crash reduction during the holiday season.
“The holidays are known for being merry and bright, but they’re also known for being the deadliest season when it comes to drunk driving,” Gurcsik said. “If you’re out on the roads and you see someone driving drunk, please call us. You could help save a life.”
According to Gurcsik, more than 10,000 people die annually in the United States as a result of drunk driving incidents, a “100 percent preventable crime.” According to a county release, 20 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities in the state last year were alcohol-related.
The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign began on Dec. 8, and will run through the end of the year. Impaired driving increases almost 10 percent during the holiday season, the county release said, therefore the “high-visibility enforcement and public education” aims to raise awareness about driving under the influence.
“During the last five years, New Jersey has experienced nearly 40,000 alcohol-involved crashes, resulting in more than 750 fatalities,” Gloucester County Prosecutor Charles A. Fiore said in a release. “Drive Sober is a critical law enforcement program that can save lives during this time of year.”
The Washington Township Police Department plans to raise awareness against impaired driving through social media sites such as Facebook. The department urges the community to plan ahead with a designated sober driver if planning to drink alcohol, or use ride share businesses such as Uber and Lyft if a ride is needed.
On another note, Gurcsik said the department has implemented a mandatory “special order” directing officers to specifically patrol shopping centers during the holiday season.
“The holiday season is always a special time of year. It is also a time when busy people become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime,” Gurcsik said. “We can never be too careful, too prepared or too aware.”
“Plain clothed detectives” will be stationed in shopping center parking lots, alongside officers on bicycles and officers assigned solely to patrol shopping centers. Additionally, day-shift officers will be patrolling residential neighborhoods for thieves attempting to rob homes of their delivered front-porch packages.
Holiday safety tips, Gurcsik said, include locking home and car doors, keeping large displays of holiday gifts away from the visibility of windows and doors of your home, avoid carrying large amounts of cash and keep the cash in a front pocket. Also, shop during daylight hours if possible, stay alert to your surroundings and do not leave valuables on the seat of your car, creating temptation for thieves.
To see a full list of holiday safety recommendations, visit the Washington Township Police Department on Facebook.
