"Sobriety Blitz" to Curb Super Bowl Drunk Driving

Police in Woodbridge will be actively working to prevent drunk driving as part of "The Sobriety Blitz,” a statewide campaign to keep the roads safe the week of the Super Bowl. 

Twenty-one law enforcement agencies, the Divisions of Highway Traffic Safety, State Police and Alcoholic Beverage Control have joined efforts to keep roads safe as more than 400,000 people come to the area this week, according to a press release from the state Office of the Attorney General.

Local police departments, including Woodbridge, have each been given $4,000 grants for the purpose of ramping up their DWI checkpoints and patrols between Jan 28 and Feb. 4, according to the release.  

Local contenders result in higher numbers of DWI arrests during the Super Bowl, according to the Attorney General's Office. 

"In 2012 and 2008, the last two appearances by the Giants in the Super Bowl, 182 and 176 DWI arrests were made, respectively, by New Jersey police," the release said. "Those numbers are the second and third highest ever recorded on a Super Bowl Sunday in New Jersey. The highest was 183 in 2005."

Division of Highway Traffic Safety Acting Director Gary Poedubicky offered the following tips on responsible drinking during the game:

• Designate a sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys.
• Consider using a taxi cab or car service, or ask a sober family member or friend to come and get you, or spend the night where you are.
• Report impaired drivers in New Jersey by dialing #77. You’ll be asked to provide the location and a brief description of the vehicle.
• If you’re intoxicated and traveling on foot, the safest way to get home is to take a cab or have a sober friend or family member drive or escort you to your doorstep.

For those individuals hosting a party:

• Make sure there’s ample food and non-alcoholic beverages available.
• Stop serving alcohol at the beginning of the third quarter of the game. Instead, offer guests coffee and dessert.
• Be sure that all guests have designated their drivers in advance, or help to arrange ride-sharing with sober drivers.
• Have the phone number of a local cab company available, and always take the keys away from anyone who may be thinking of driving after drinking.