Page 6 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • December 15, 2010 Franklin Lakes Borough supports statewide drunk driver crackdown by Frank J. McMahon The Borough of Franklin Lakes is supporting the statewide program, “Over the Limit/Under Arrest,” now until Jan. 2, 2011, and the borough has pledged to increase the awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving. Mayor Maura DeNicola read a proclamation at a recent council meeting that pointed out that impaired drivers on the nation’s roads kill someone every 30 minutes, 50 people per day, and almost 18,000 people each year, and that 25 percent of motor vehicle fatalities in New Jersey are alcohol-related. She also noted that the end of the year is traditionally a time of social gatherings that often include alcohol. Launched in December 1999, the national Over the Limit/Under Arrest crackdown is a partnership of criminal justice and traffic safety partners in all 50 states. The goal is to reduce deaths from impaired driving. The New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety advised that, although 1.5 million impaired drivers are arrested annually, only one arrest is made for every 772 occurrences of driving under the influence of alcohol. Repeat offenders account for a high number of alcoholrelated crashes, the division noted. Gary Poedubicky, the acting director for the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, emphasized the importance of this crackdown. “For most Americans, the summer and year-end holiday seasons are a time to enjoy with family and friends. Unfortunately, they are also…the deadliest times of the year on America’s highways (due to) impaired driving,” Poedubicky said. “That’s why every summer and year-end holiday season, thousands of traffic safety partners in all 50 states join forces to protect citizens from this deadly crime.” Poedubicky said the key to deterring impaired driving is highly visible enforcement. “The research is clear on the effect highly visible enforcement has on deterring impaired driving,” Poedubicky explained. “Prevention, and not arrest, is the goal of the campaign. Drivers must perceive that the risk of being caught is too high before their behavior will change.” He emphasized that impaired driving is a serious crime. “As a community, we all support law enforcement efforts to protect us from theft, burglary, assault, and terrorism, and yet many otherwise law-abiding citizens continue to view impaired driving merely as a traffic offense. Don’t be fooled. Impaired driving is no accident, nor is it a victimless crime.” According to Poedubicky, impaired driving is one of the most often committed crimes. “That means you, your family, or friends are just as likely to be innocent victims,” Poedubicky said. According to the division’s statistics, impaired driving fatalities are on the rise nationally, with almost 18,000 people killed each year and about 250,000 people injured. “If you’re feeling ‘buzzed,’ you are most likely impaired, and if you drive impaired, law enforcement will arrest you,” Poedubicky emphasized. “There will be no warnings, and violators can lose their licenses, time from their jobs, and lose money in high fines and court costs as well as face imprisonment for repeat offenses, assault, and vehicular manslaughter.” 304 S. Van Dien Avenue Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-8200 R e h a b i l i tat i o n C e n t e r f o r H o s p i ta l A f t e r C a r e The Van Dyk name is as good as our word. Simply stated, you can trust that we will treat your family as if they were our family. That care and compassion is the foundation that established our reputation in 1953. Our post-acute program, AfterCare, provides the patient with excellent medical and rehabilitation therapy between hospital and home. Van Dyk AfterCare includes post-acute care for: � � � � � Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Physiatrist Assessments I.V. Therapy � Wound Care Stroke Rehabilitation Pain Assessment and Management U.S. News & World Report Ranks Van Dyk Manor THE BEST IN NEW JERSEY Van Dyk Health Care, Inc. represents a continuum of senior care services including: Van Dyk Manors of Montclair and Ridgewood offering rehabilitative and long term care services, Van Dyk Park Place Assisted Living in Hawthorne, and Van Dyk at Bald Eagle Commons Assisted Living and Senior Apartments in West Milford. Fa m i ly C a r i n g f o r Fa m i ly S i n c e 1 9 5 3 www.vandykhealthcare.com