Police To Crack Down On Drunk, Impaired Driving During Holidays

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Authorities in Somerset County will be cracking down on drunk and impaired drivers during the upcoming holiday season.

The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office joins the statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, that begins Wednesday through New Year’s Day.

“I want to remind drivers that law enforcement will be out in full force to thwart impaired-driving crashes,” Sheriff Frank J. Provenzano said.

The Sheriff’s Office, along with local and state law enforcement officers, will conduct sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols, looking for motorists who may be driving while impaired.

As part of the campaign, restaurants Willie McBride’s in Branchburg and Big Heads Pub in Hillsborough, as well as car dealerships Bridgewater Lexus, Bridgewater BMW, Open Road Volkswagen and Open Road Mercedes Auto Group, will be handing out brochures and magnets to promote the “John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers."

Bill and Muriel Elliott started the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers in memory of their son, U.S. Navy Ensign John R. Elliott, who was killed in a collision with a drunk driver in July 2000. While at the U.S. Naval Academy, Ensign Elliott was selected as a Human Education Resource Officer (HERO) to counsel and mentor other members of his company and was named “the outstanding HERO” of his graduating class. He was killed two months after graduating from the academy.

“Impaired driving is completely preventable,” said Provenzano. “All it takes is a little planning. We want the public to remember that it’s a choice. Drink responsibly or drive sober – these are good choices. We want to keep people from making a poor choice that harms others and themselves.”

For more information about the HERO Campaign, go to www.herocampaign.org or contact Sheriff’s Officer Nick Fazio at 908-231-7140, ext. 9, or Fazio@co.somerset.nj.us or Capt. Steve SanAntonio at 908-231-7168.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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