by Davy James, Staff Writer
Three drunken driving accidents over the weekend are part of what police are calling an “alarming rise” in alcohol-related motor vehicle incidents since the beginning of January.
Police said that nine drivers have been arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, eight following accidents, during the first three weeks of 2008.
”There’s been a spike in alcohol-related motor vehicle offenses this month, which concerns us a great deal,” Detective James Ryan, the Police Department’s spokesman, said Tuesday.
All three weekend accidents occurred on Route 1, police said, and three drivers — David Austerberry, 48, of South Brunswick; George Robinson, 40, of Southfield, Mich.; and Larry Henderson, 53, of Burlington — were charged with driving while intoxicated.
The three arrests come on the heels of two DWI-related fatalities within the last month. Kylie Pinheiro, 18, of Dayton, was killed Dec. 28, when the car she was traveling in was struck on Route 1 by a woman who allegedly ran a red light. Police say the woman, Kimberly Green, 32, of Somerset, was drunk at the time of the accident. She has been charged with aggravated manslaughter and two counts of aggravated assault. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Thomas Sohl, 39, of South Brunswick, was killed a week later when his car hit a tree on Deans Rhode Hall Road. Police are waiting for the results of the autopsy but they believe alcohol was involved.
Police are concerned and plan to boost patrols.
”If the DWI arrests stay at their current rate then we’re on pace to see 139 DWI arrests for the entire year, which is unprecedented,” Detective Ryan said. “We usually average between 62 and 65 arrests per year. What’s really alarming is that it’s not just arrests, it’s that most of the incidents have involved car accidents.”
According to police, there were 89 DWI arrests in South Brunswick last year. Police are not sure why arrests are up so far or whether it is a trend that will continue.
”This time of year, there seem to be a lot of gatherings due to football playoffs and Super Bowl parties, which could play a factor,” Detective Ryan said.
However, Mothers Against Drunk Driving believes the spike in DWIs is more than just a holiday carryover.
”People have an excuse for drinking with every day on the calendar,” said MADD New Jersey Executive Director Mindy Lazar. “Holidays, sporting events — if people need an excuse to drink they’ll find one. The calendar doesn’t give people permission to drive drunk.”
Police plan on fighting the recent rise by stepping up patrols and increasing awareness, aided by a $5,000 grant from the state.
”People who host parties need to be mindful of the intoxication of people attending their parties,” Detective Ryan said. “If someone gets drunk at a residence and leaves the party and gets involved in a car accident, then the person who hosted that party open themselves up for civil liability.”
According to police, the majority of the drunken driving accidents occur between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. Police say they will increase patrols rather than setting up checkpoints, because checkpoints focus manpower on one particular road, which prevents them from covering more area. Police also are concerned by the ages of the people involved in the recent accidents.
”We usually think of DWIs involving younger drivers,” Detective Ryan said. “But the age levels from recent arrests have seen 32- to 50-year-olds involved. You’d think they’d be more knowledgeable.”
Police want to remind drivers that the danger from other potential drunken drivers means everyone needs to be aware of the problem.
”We all need to be more cognizant of what other drivers are doing,” Detective Ryan said. “And for those who’re drinking and considering getting behind the wheel, they need to look into the alternatives, like taxis, hotels and calling friends or family for a ride.”
In addition to the increased patrols, police are going to fight the rising DWIs by making sure the people understand what the consequences are. For a first offense with a blood alcohol level of .10 percent or higher, the potential penalties include loss of license for seven months to a year, a $300-$500 fine, insurance surcharges of $1,000 per-year for three years and up to 30 days in jail. License suspension for first-time offenders with a blood-alcohol level of .08 to .1 is three months.
For a second offense within 10 years of the first, the potential penalties include loss of license for at least two years, a $500 to $1,000 fine, insurance surcharges of $1,000 per-year for three years and between 48 hours and 90 days in jail. A third offense within 10 years of the second offense carries a loss of license for 10 years, a $1,000 fine, insurance surcharges of $1,500 per-year for three years and up to 180 days in jail.
”We want people to think about what they’ll face if they’re arrested for DWI,” Detective Ryan said. “They will face significant fines and we’ll increase publicity for those who’re caught. We want to publicly embarrass anyone who drives drunk, maybe then the message will hit home.”
