Eatontown police on the lookout for drunk drivers

BY SUE MORGAN Staff Writer

BY SUE MORGAN
Staff Writer

EATONTOWN — Borough police are increasingly on the prowl for impaired motorists who might have reveled in too much holiday cheer.

To protect those alcohol-impaired drivers from injuring others and themselves, the Eatontown police will add more roving drunk-driving patrol units to the borough’s thoroughfares as part of the state’s “You Drink, You Drive, You Lose 2006 Year End Crackdown.”

The goal of the statewide program is to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving through high-visibility enforcement and to arrest motorists who operate a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs or alcohol, according to Traffic Safety Officer Patrolman Troy Fowlkes.

“The end of the year and New Year’s celebrations are a time for fun with friends and family, not tragedy,” Fowlkes said in a press release issued last week.

“The law enforcement community and safety organizations of the state are committed to eliminating impaired driving from our roads,” he added.

Eatontown’s extra patrols will be funded by a $4,378.99 grant from the New Jersey Division of Highway, Drunk Driving Enforcement Program. Extra patrols will continue until Jan. 2, Fowlkes wrote.

To ensure the safety of drivers, passengers and others on the roads, particularly after social gatherings, Eatontown police have issued the following pointers:

• Be responsible and don’t risk it; you will be caught.

• If you plan to drink while out, choose a designated driver before going out.

• Realize that every drink you have makes it more difficult to know when you’ve had too much to drive.

• Take mass transit, a taxi, or ask a sober friend to drive you home.

• Spend the night where the activity is held.

• Report impaired drivers to law enforcement.

• Always use your seat belt. It’s your best defense against an impaired driver.

Via a resolution passed by the Borough Council on Nov. 8, the funds from the state’s grant were inserted as revenue in the municipal budget for the calendar year 2006.