As 2022 comes to an end and we welcome 2023, the New Jersey State Police would like to remind motorists to drive responsibly and not drink and drive. Safe motor vehicle operation is the first step to ensuring a great holiday for everyone, so if you plan on ushering in the New Year with a toast, plan on having a designated driver or a place to stay.

During the holiday period last year, there were eight fatal crashes in New Jersey. Three of those eight fatal crashes were alcohol and/or drug related. We are asking everyone to help bring that fatal number down to zero for the New Year. If you plan on drinking alcohol during the holiday, don’t make a bad decision by getting behind the wheel. Tragedies can be avoided by calling a taxi, using transportation applications such as Uber and Lyft, having a designated driver, or making plans to stay where you are.

In addition to regularly scheduled patrols, the New Jersey State Police will have an additional 54 troopers on traffic duty statewide for the holiday. Troopers will focus on violations such as speeding, aggressive driving, improper cell phone use, seatbelt usage, fatigued driving, and DWI.

“We want everyone to arrive at their destinations safely to celebrate the holiday, so we will have additional patrols who will be targeting anyone who threatens the safety of others by aggressive driving, distracted driving, or driving while intoxicated,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “As we do our part to reach our goal of zero fatalities on our roadways, we ask that our residents do their part as well. On behalf of the New Jersey State Police, I would like to wish everyone a very safe and happy New Year.”

The New Year holiday period begins at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, December 30, and ends at 5:59 a.m. on Monday, January 3.