Police target drunken driving

[news]

Statewide program will crack down on impaired driving during last weeks of summer

Summer is a time for parties and celebrations, and many summer events include alcohol. Unfortunately, that could mean that some people hit the roads drunk.

In Cranbury, the number of drunken drivers has more than doubled since 2004, said Cranbury Police Sgt. Frank Dillane, and the department is looking for ways to make the roads safer. The department secured a $5,000 grant from the state Division of Highway Traffic Safety in order to pay for additional officers to be on duty to help track down impaired drivers.

"(The grant) is for overtime enforcement," said Sgt. Dillane. "An additional two officers will be on each night."

In 2004, 18 people were charged with impaired driving. In 2005, the number rose
to 32, and in 2006 it rose to 40.

The increase prompted Sgt. Dillane to seek a grant, which will cover the cost of the Over the Limit Under Arrest 2007 Crackdown program.

The statewide campaign will run from Aug. 17 to Sept. 3. Sgt. Dillane said. Two additional officers will be posted from 9:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. during long weekends. The schedule varies during the two-week period with the first week focusing on Friday through Sunday, and the second week will focus on Thursday through Sunday.
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