WMBCTV: New Jersey holiday driving safety - Drive sober

The National Safety Council estimates that 40% of traffic-related deaths between Christmas and the New Year involve drunk drivers. This is a 12 percent increase compared to the rest of the month of December. 

“Drive Sober, or Get pulled over” - You might remember those driving safety signs posted along New Jersey highways. Today, they are front and center and will continue to be through the month of January, as officers say they see increased numbers of intoxicated drivers during the holidays.

“I think people get a little bit more lax,” said Fairfield Public Information Officer Stacy Chiarolanza. “Now, you have your holiday parties so there’s more people going out for those things.”

Officer Chiarolanza explains what that means for the officers.

“We have extra patrols on the road and their only assignment for the time they are on the road during that time is looking for intoxicated drivers,” said Chiarolanza.

Officer Chiarolanza says that while the legal blood alcohol level is .08%, this can look very different for different people based on body size and food consumption among other things. She gives tips on what you can do to practice driving safety if under the influence of alcohol.

“Simple. Have a designated driver. Call Uber or Lyft or have a friend come pick you up. Call somebody, have somebody come pick you up,” said Chiarolanza. “You don’t want to end up in jail, in an accident, hurt or hurting someone else.” 

Officers take intoxicated driving very seriously and say that there are legal consequences.

“If you’re stopped while driving under the influence and you’re arrested for DWI, you’re going to be brought back to the police station. You’re going to be offered the breath test if alcohol is smelled on your breath or your person,” said Chiarolanza. “From there, it’s all handled by the court after you’re released. You’re typically released to a sober adult or you would stay in jail for 12 hours until we feel like the alcohol has dissipated from your system. Your car gets towed and that is a mandatory 12 hour impound in the yard. It’s called John’s Law.”

The drive sober campaign is part of a larger effort that includes other safety enforcement initiatives. While officials say that driving under the influence seems to be a more prominent issue throughout the holiday season, the state has issued initiatives throughout the year to address driving safety.

“We also do the ‘Click It or Ticket’ initiative. We’re looking for people, seat belts that aren’t being worn,” said Chiarolanza. “And we do a cellphone one where we’re looking for people specifically just talking on their cell phone. These are all statewide.”