Drive Sober Labor Day Crackdown Approved

The Westfield Town Council approved two resolutions proposed by the Public Safety, Transportation and Parking Committee at Tuesday's meeting.

The first supports the 2013 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' statewide Labor Day crackdown. The national campaign is designed to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving through high-visibility enforcement and public education tools, including posters, banners and mobile video display signs. Launched across the U.S. in 1999, the program works to combat drunk driving during some of the busiest travel times of the year, including the Labor Day holiday period.

The campaign will begin Aug. 16 and continue through Sept. 2. The Town received $4,000 from the State of New Jersey in order to offset the costs of participating in the program.

The second resolution supported the adoption of 'Idle Free Zones' and is aimed at reducing students' exposure to vehicle exhaust. Councilman and mayoral candidate David Haas said he was "delighted we're moving on this," adding that he has long been a proponent of the Idle Free Zones as the fumes are particularly hazardous to young children and the elderly. Haas further stated that he hopes drivers will take note of this when they are around schools.