Police plan DUI crackdown over the holidays
By ROBERT LINNEHAN
The Cherry Hill Sun
12/20/2009

If you’re planning on engaging in a bit of the holiday cheer this season, maybe you should think twice before drinking that sixth glass of grandma’s famous Jack Daniel’s eggnog. Cherry Hill police officers will be patrolling the streets this month and into January, looking to crack down on drunken motorists.

Cherry Hill received a $5,000 grant from the state Division of Highway Safety to participate in its “Over the Limit, Under Arrest,” DUI crackdown program until Jan. 3. The state awarded the grants to 110 police departments, which will help fund the necessary manpower for driving checkpoints and additional police officers on the roadways looking for impaired driving.

Division of Highway Safety Traffic Director Pam Fischer said the national program would help curb dangerous driving practices during one of the busiest times of year for state roadways.

“We’re hoping to achieve 100 percent participation by police agencies across the state,” Fischer said in a press release. “Last year, 424 police departments participated in the initiative, up from 333 the previous year. This is a vital law enforcement program that can save lives during a time of the year when impaired driving traditionally increases by nearly 10 percent.”

Lt. Bill Kushina said the grant money would be able to support 20 extra shifts among officers in the traffic safety units during the program. The additional officers will be patrolling the streets of Cherry Hill, looking for erratic drivers who may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“We’ll have supplemental patrols with extra officers to check for DUI. We want to look for the driving indicators that can show us people driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol,” he said. “We want to go out there and keep our roads safe during a time of year where this dangerous driving increases.”

Cherry Hill participated in the last program, held between Aug. 21 and Sept. 7. During that time of increased driving patrols, the township police department netted seven cases of DWI, 31 seatbelt infractions, 78 motorists driving with a suspended license, 15 driving without insurance, 13 speeders, and seven cases of reckless driving. Even one drink before driving can impair a motorist’s ability to operate a car, Fischer said.

“Despite the gains we’ve made in reducing drunk driving-related crashes, many individuals still believe that after a few drinks, they’re safe to drive,” she said in a press release. “Even one drink can alter your judgment and reaction time behind the wheel, putting not only yourself, but everyone on the road, in danger.”

Mayor Bernie Platt said this program is an essential tool to help keep the township safe during the holiday season.

“The holiday season is a time of celebration and special gatherings with family and friends. But it’s also a time when many people indulge more than usual, potentially endangering themselves and others if choosing to drive while impaired, and risking tragedy,” he said. “In Cherry Hill, our police officers will be out on the roads in full force this year as part of a statewide crackdown on intoxicated motorists. It is my hope that everyone enjoying this special time of year in our township makes responsible choices – decisions that, with the help of our officers, will get them to their destinations safely.”