DWI Education a Never-Ending Process by Chief Richard Borden

The dynamics of enforcing Driving While Intoxicated laws have changed drastically over the past 20 years. Awareness and education regarding this topic was almost non-existent, and not getting caught by the "cops" was all that mattered to the majority of people driving under the influence.

 As legislators gradually passed laws that imposed tougher mandated penalties and lowered the legal blood alcohol level to .08 percent, the topic of driving drunk began to dominate more "happy hours," college dorms and cocktail parties. Liability issues pertaining to allowing an individual to drive drunk or driving home under the influence after leaving a house party were being discussed openly. Public awareness groups such as MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) began to establish themselves on not just the local scene, but on a national level garnering attention from the media, influential politicians and celebrities. Judges and prosecutors across our nation were being held accountable for sentences handed down to individuals arrested for DWI.

County programs such as EmPoWER Somerset’s Initiative of Partying Safely (SIPS) have embraced the idea of taking a proactive stance to educate individuals regarding the dangers of driving while intoxicated. EmPoWER Somerset recently held an open forum on the topic at Raritan Valley Community College that was well attended by the public. So why then do our officers continue to make DWI arrests involving people of all ages, specifically of individuals between the ages of 18-25 who may be the most educated and aware of any age group?

The following statistics are indicative of this disturbing trend. Since the year 2000, our police department has experienced a steady rise in DWI arrests. In 2008 our DWI arrests had increased more than 300 percent from the year 2000. Though the education awareness level of the public has increased, the decision making/judgment process has not equaled the same. Far too many individuals arrested still are posting extremely high blood alcohol levels, and others have been arrested more than once for the same violation.

DWI-fueled crashes still are a primary concern for all of us. The education of the public must continue. The process must begin in high school once an individual is legally allowed to operate a motor vehicle. The ramifications of not just getting caught by the "cops" but the consequences of one’s actions, not only to you, but to other innocent individuals, must clearly be spelled out. The process should continue onto the college campus where a more cavalier attitude toward drinking is present.

Consequences exist for everyone, including those in the 18- to 25-year age group who feel they are invincible. This awareness then must be present for an individual’s entire "driving" life, as the legal and personal ramifications may be even more devastating.

Police departments in Somerset County, with dedicated resources provided by EmPoWER Somerset, will be increasing DWI saturation patrols and initiating other proactive measures during the Thanksgiving holiday period. Our police department, along with Hillsborough and North Plainfield, will be conducting DWI checkpoints on Thanksgiving Eve to both educate the public and enforce the drinking and driving state statutes.

Be aware not only for yourself, but for your loved ones, friends and the motoring public. Don’t you become the topic of conversation over the holiday season for not using common sense. The term "I’m OK to drive" usually means the opposite. The holidays are a time for joy not regret.

Richard Borden is chief of police in Bridgewater.