MOUNT OLIVE TOWNSHIP FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

Message From Retired Sgt. Steve Zenes

I'd like a word with all High School and College students. Actually, I'd like four words --

New Jersey has a "zero tolerance" law for underage drinkers. If an officer stops you and discovers that you've had something to drink, you're going to lose your license. It doesn't matter if you're near the legal limit for intoxication; if you have a detectable amount of alcohol on your breath or in your bloodstream, you can lose your license for SIX months for your first offense. And if you make the same mistake twice, your license will be gone for the whole year. I don't think getting grounded for that amount of time is worth one beer, do you?

Losing your license, though, could be the least of your worries if you chose to drive after you've had something to drink -- regardless of whether you're over 21 or not. New Jersey has seen a disturbing trend developing -- accidents that involve only a single car or van, but produce multiple fatalities.

They almost follow a pattern. A group of young people will be hanging out together, having a few drinks, and then will decide to go somewhere else before calling it a night. The driver will be speeding. He or she may not be drunk, but after only two or three beers, reflexes and judgement will be just slightly off -- enough so the driver will miss a curve or an exit. The vehicle goes off the road. And in less than a couple of seconds, five or six or seven young men and women die when their bodies slam into the metal or glass inside the vehicle, or are propelled out of the van or car and smash into the ground. People under the influence will often times forget to wear their seatbelts.

If there's one thing the Mount Olive Township Police takes absolutely seriously, it's preventing needless tragedies like this. We'd like to see you return home safely from every outing this year. For your sake and the sake of those who love you, don't drink and drive.

Please send comments concerning any of our Pages to Ret. Sgt. Steve Zenes

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