Police target drunken driving

Statewide program will crack down on impaired driving during last weeks of summer

By: Emily Holody
      Summer is a time for parties and celebrations, and many summer events include alcohol. Unfortunately, that could mean that some people hit the roads drunk.
      In Cranbury, the number of drunken drivers has more than doubled since 2004, said Cranbury Police Sgt. Frank Dillane, and the department is looking for ways to make the roads safer. The department secured a $5,000 grant from the state Division of Highway Traffic Safety in order to pay for additional officers to be on duty to help track down impaired drivers.
      "(The grant) is for overtime enforcement," said Sgt. Dillane. "An additional two officers will be on each night."
      In 2004, 18 people were charged with impaired driving. In 2005, the number rose
to 32, and in 2006 it rose to 40.
      The increase prompted Sgt. Dillane to seek a grant, which will cover the cost of the Over the Limit Under Arrest 2007 Crackdown program.
      The statewide campaign will run from Aug. 17 to Sept. 3. Sgt. Dillane said. Two additional officers will be posted from 9:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. during long weekends. The schedule varies during the two-week period with the first week focusing on Friday through Sunday, and the second week will focus on Thursday through Sunday.
      "The focus will be on enforcement (of impaired driving)," said Sgt. Dillane.
      According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, impaired drivers kill nearly 18,000 people each year. During 2005 in New Jersey, 34 percent of motor vehicle fatalities were alcohol-related.
      The numbers in Cranbury are not as high as those statewide, but Sgt. Dillane emphasized the percentage increase in drunken driving incidents throughout Cranbury. He hopes the increase in officers patrolling the roads will stem the tide of impaired driving.
      "It’s just a matter of having the number of officers out there to focus on (impaired driving)," said Sgt. Dillane.
      Although this is the program’s first year, Sgt. Dillane said Cranbury participated in a similar program in 2004.
      "They had termed it You Drink, You Drive, You Lose," said Sgt. Dillane.
      The Cranbury Police "got a couple of drug arrests" during the 2004 program, said Sgt. Dillane in addition to drivers impaired by alcohol.