Bayshore Police Chiefs Team Up For Thanksgiving DWI Saturation Patrol

BAYSHORE, NJ— In preparation for one of the deadliest nights for motorists, the Bayshore Task Force will be deploying DWI Saturation Patrols to monitor for drunk drivers.

The task force, made up of Aberdeen, Atlantic Highlands, Hazlet, Holmdel, Highlands, Keyport, Keansburg, Matawan, Middletown, and Union Beach, will be out during the Thanksgiving weekend, when drunk driving and crashes spike.

"Thanksgiving is also one of the deadliest [holidays]. Motorists navigating unfamiliar roads, often late, are more likely to crash, especially if they’ve been drinking alcohol," Aberdeen Police Chief John Powers said in a press release. "For college students, home on break, the night before Thanksgiving is particularly dangerous as they flock to parties and bars to reunite with old friends."

Last year, 15 people died over the Thanksgiving weekend, a 10% increase from 2014. Six of the drivers in those crashes were intoxicated.

Here are some tips for safe driving, courtesy of the Bayshore Task Force:

• Even one drink can impair your judgment and increase the risk of getting arrested for driving drunk—or worse, the risk of having a crash.
• If you will be drinking, do not plan on driving. Plan ahead; designate a sober driver before the party begins.
• If you have been drinking, do not drive. Call a taxi, phone a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation.

"Remember, driving after drinking should never be an option," Powers said.

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