Thirteen police departments around the county will receive state funding for increased DWI patrols.
WOODBURY -- Police departments throughout Gloucester County will be stepping up drunk driving patrols this holiday season, thanks to a state grant.
The Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office announced on Tuesday that 12 municipal police departments, as well as Rowan University police, will be conducting state-funded extra patrols from Dec. 11 to New Year's Day. The program, which pays for the man hours that go into such patrols, aims to add enhanced law enforcement during a season when substance-related accidents and deaths tend to spike. The period around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day makes up one of the most dangerous times of year to be on the road, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
"This is a critical law enforcement program that can save lives during a time of the year when impaired driving traditionally increases by nearly 10 percent," said Gloucester County Prosecutor Sean Dalton in a media release. "People who choose to get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol or using drugs pose a grave danger to all roadway users and this initiative is designed to bring attention to this important issue."
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More than a quarter of fatal accidents last year were alcohol related, the GCPO said, and 10,000 people die annually in drunk driving accidents. The prosecutor's office will distribute $45,000 from the state Division of Highway Traffic Safety among the 13 participating departments. Those departments are: Clayton, Glassboro, Pitman and Woodbury; Greenwich, Harrison, Woolwich, Deptford, Mantua, Logan, Washington and Monroe townships, as well as the Rowan police.
"Advice from law enforcement for the holiday season: if impaired, take a bus, train or cab home or have a friend drive you," said the GCPO. "Report impaired drivers to police, use seat belts, be responsible. Stop drinking acquaintances from driving."
Andy Polhamus may be reached at apolhamus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ajpolhamus. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
