Police To Crack Down On Drunk Driving On St. Patrick's Day In Somerset County

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Police throughout Somerset and Hunterdon Counties will be cracking down on drunk driving on Thursday, St. Patrick’s Day.

The local law enforcement agencies will be teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to spread the message about the dangers of drunk driving.

"We understand people are looking for a reason to celebrate, and we want our community members to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day, but we also want to impress upon everyone the importance of safe driving," said Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Thomas Chirichella. "If you’ve been drinking, make the right choice to find a sober driver to get you and your friends home safely. Before you put your keys in the ignition, remind yourself: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving."

Statistics, according to NHTSA:

• In 2019, 10,142 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes
• On average, more than 10,000 people were killed each year from 2015 to 2019
• One person was killed in a drunk-driving crash every 52 minutes in 2019.
• During the 2019 St. Patrick’s Day period (6 p.m. March 16 to 5:59 a.m. March 18), almost half (46 percent) of crash fatalities involved a drunk driver.
• From 2015 to 2019, a total of 280 lives were lost in drunk-driving crashes during the St. Patrick’s Day period.

County officials are also warning drivers to keep an eye out for pedestrians who have had too much to drink as walking while intoxicated can also be deadly if someone is not paying attention.

"Drunk drivers are a continuing problem on our nation’s roads, especially around days like St.
Patrick’s Day," said Chirichella. "People need to know that they can go out for a night of fun and return home safely by ensuring they have a sober driver take them home. Don’t be the reason someone — including yourself — doesn’t get home. Don’t let St. Patrick’s Day become an anniversary of a tragic night."

Plan a Sober Ride

• Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.
• Plan to use LYFT, Uber or a taxi service.
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, call 9-1-1.
• Do you have a friend who has been drinking and is about to drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.

For more information about the Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving campaign, visit

nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.

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