July 19, 2000

 

PROSECUTOR ANNOUNCES INCREASED SOBRIETY CHECKPOINTS IN MERCER COUNTY

 

Trenton, NJ — The summer months bring fun, sun and gatherings of family and friends. Unfortunately, this also means an increase in alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents.

 

About three in every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives, based on information provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  During the year 2000, there were 29 motor vehicle fatalities in Mercer County – more than 20 percent of these deaths were alcohol related.

 

Mercer County Prosecutor Daniel G. Giaquinto announced today that his office has received a $20,000 grant from the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety for maintained enforcement of the state’s drunk driving laws.  The funds will be used to sponsor approximately 10 sobriety checkpoints throughout Mercer County over the next six weeks, which will be conducted by municipal police departments and the prosecutor’s Serious Collision Response Team (SCRT).

 

“We are very pleased to have obtained this grant for the protection of Mercer County residents,” Giaquinto said.  “It will significantly enhance law enforcement’s ability to detect and deter drunk driving, particularly at this time of year.”

 

 

The first of the sobriety checkpoints is scheduled between July 27th and July 29th in East Windsor.  The East Windsor Police Department will increase its enforcement activities throughout the community in an effort to target impaired drivers. 

 

According to the state Division of Highway Traffic Safety, a person is guilty of drunk driving in New Jersey is he/she operates a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .10 percent or greater.  However, a person can be convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol even with a BAC of less than .10 percent.

 

“Alcohol consumption, even in small amounts, dulls the senses, decreases reaction time, and hinders judgment, vision and alertness,” Giaquinto said.  “In addition to stepping up enforcement, we want to promote public awareness of the dangers and consequences of drunk driving.”

 

The Serious Collision Response Team is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of all fatal and serious injury collisions that occur within Mercer County.  It also conducts both formal and informal training in the field of collision investigation.