Hudson County Sheriff’s Office to participate in drunk driving crackdown

The Hudson County Sheriff’s Office has begun participating in an end-of-year drunk driving crackdown that will continue through the end of the year. 

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

“My officers will be out in force throughout the county looking for impaired drivers, we will catch you and you will be arrested. We don’t want to ruin your holiday and we don’t want you to ruin anyone else’s holiday, so don’t drink and drive,” Sheriff Frank Schillari said in a statement.

Officers from the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office will be cracking down on drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs as part of the annual end of year “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” statewide campaign.

Beginning December 7th and continuing through January 1st, 2019, local, county and state law enforcement officials will conduct saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints looking for motorists who may be driving while intoxicated.

The national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” effort endeavors to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving through a combination of high-visibility enforcement and public education.

“There were approximately 38,000 alcohol involved crashes resulting in more than 700 fatalities, nationwide in 2017 Our goal is to keep the public safe. National statistics show that impaired driving increases about 10% this time of year,” Schillari added.

“As always, I want everyone to enjoy the holidays, but I want them to have a safe and tragedy free holiday season.”

In 2017, 20 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities in New Jersey were alcohol-related. Nationally, more than 10,000 people die each year in impaired driving crashes.

Additionally, the sheriff offers the following advice for a safe holiday season:

• Take mass transit, a taxicab, or ask a sober friend to drive you home.
• Spend the night where the activity or party is held.
• If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone’s life, and inaction could cost a life. CALL 9-1-1
• Always buckle-up, every ride. It’s your best defense against an impaired driver.
• If you are intoxicated and traveling on foot, the safest way to get home is to take a cab or have a sober friend or family member drive or escort you to your doorstep.
• Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel.