DRPA police to target drunk driving

Delaware River Port Authority police will participate in the statewide "Over the Limit, Under Arrest" crackdown on drunk drivers from Friday to Sept. 5.

Launched nationally in 1999, the program works to combat drunk driving during some of the busiest travel times of the year. Local and state police intensify patrols and conduct sobriety checkpoints, looking for intoxicated drivers.

DRPA's last "Over the Limit, Under Arrest" operation took place between Dec. 6, 2010, and Jan. 2, 2011. During that period, there were 9 arrests for drunk driving. However, according to DRPA statistics, the additional police presence also resulted in 1 fugitive apprehension, 1 drug arrest, 11 speeding tickets, 4 suspended driver tickets, 1 ticket for driving without insurance and 26 other moving and nonmoving violations.

"This initiative brings attention to not only the serious fines and penalties drunk drivers can face, but also the grave danger those drivers pose to all individuals on the road," said DRPA police Chief David McClintock.

In 2009 in New Jersey, 149 people were killed as a result of alcohol-related crashes. That number represents about 25 percent of the 583 traffic fatalities reported in New Jersey that year.

The Delaware River Port Authority is owns and operates the Benjamin Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry and Betsy Ross Bridges, and PATCO, the Philadelphia Cruise Terminal and the RiverLink Ferry.