Seaside Heights, Pine Beach Receive DWI Enforcement Grants

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ — With the holiday season upon us, law enforcement agencies across the state are increasing their focus on drunken and impaired driving.

The annual "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign kicks off Friday in New Jersey, and towns around the state, including Seaside Heights and Pine Beach, are receiving grants of $6,000 to help fund additional patrols during the holiday season.

Patrols will be increasing in towns that are not receiving grants as well.

New Jersey’s crackdown on impaired driving is part of a nationwide effort to reduce traffic fatalities during the holiday season, when statistics show increased potential for crashes. The campaign’s goal is to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving through high-visibility enforcement and increased public education.

“Let me be clear – those who drive while impaired will face serious consequences,” Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck said. “Getting behind the wheel drunk or high puts the driver, their passengers, and the public in jeopardy. Our traffic safety campaign will help everyone to enjoy the holiday season — responsibly.”

New Jersey has seen a significant increase in fatal crashes in 2021, with 604 fatal crashes that have killed 630 people. In 2020, New Jersey had 549 fatal crashes and that resulted in 587 deaths, and that was an increase of 25 fatal collisions and 29 deaths in spite of the pandemic, according to New Jersey State Police.

The New Jersey State Police Fatal Crash Report for 2020 said alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in 162 of the 549 fatal crashes; 178 were killed in those crashes. Of the 304 drivers killed in 2020 crashes, 258 were tested for alcohol and 93 — 36 percent — had consumed an alcoholic beverage, and 74 of them had a blood-alcohol level of .08 percent or higher.

Of the 519 drivers who survived crashes, 117 were tested for alcohol. Of those, 37 tested positive for alcohol and 26 of those — 70.3 percent — had a blood-alcohol level of .08 percent or higher, the state police report said.

The state grants to local law enforcement agencies pay for saturation patrols and high-visibility sobriety checkpoints during the month-long enforcement effort.

Last year, the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over holiday campaign resulted in 590 DUI arrests (alcohol and/or drugs) statewide; and participating police agencies issued 3,121 summonses for speeding and 817 for seat belt violations.

Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Toms River Patch on Facebook.