Enhanced Reporting Effort for New Jersey Drivers Arrested for DUI Announced

New Effort Will Help Alcoholic Beverage Control Better Identify Establishments that May Be Serving Intoxicated Patrons

August 17, 2007 -- Trenton – New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram and Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control Director Jerry Fischer today announced a new initiative designed to provide information to ABC on where individuals who have been charged with drunk driving were consuming alcohol immediately prior to their arrest.

Implemented under Attorney General Law Enforcement Directive No. 2007-2, the new effort will provide detailed information on whether or not an individual was drinking in a licensed commercial establishment, such as a bar or restaurant, before being stopped and arrested for driving under the influence. The information, which would be noted on a form completed by the arresting officer, would include the name and address of the establishment.

According to Attorney General Milgram, that information would then be sent to the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, where it will be entered into a data base and used to enhance intelligence information for both division investigators and local law enforcement officers working to identify establishments that may have a history of serving intoxicated patrons.

“By capturing information on where patrons had their last drink, we can further law enforcement efforts to prevent drunk driving and quality of life problems that can arise in a community from the over-consumption of alcohol,” Attorney General Milgram said.

ABC Director Jerry Fischer noted that under the state’s alcoholic beverage control laws, liquor licensees cannot serve or sell alcohol to any person actually or apparently intoxicated in a licensed premises.

“This information will help to establish patterns in the service of alcohol at bars and restaurants that can be used to more effectively prevent drunk driving and the potentially serious consequences that can result from the over-consumption of alcohol,” ABC Director Fischer said.

The initiative is a coordinated effort with the Division of State Police’s Alcohol Drug Test Unit, the Fatal Accident Unit, and the Division of Highway Traffic Safety and will be incorporated in training being provided to all police agencies by the state. Information on the new initiative will also be disseminated to all local law enforcement agencies.

“Alcohol continues to be a key factor in highway fatalities, and more than 30 percent of all crashes in New Jersey involve intoxicated drivers,” Division of Highway Traffic Safety Director Pam Fischer said. “We must continue to find new and innovative ways to prevent anyone who has been drinking from getting behind the wheel. By working together with the ABC, the State Police, local law enforcement and licensed establishments, we can take positive steps towards protecting all New Jerseyans, both on and off our roadways.”

Source: New Jersey Attorney General

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