EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – Local police will watch for impaired drivers this holiday season as part of the state’s Over the Limit Under Arrest 2007 Year End Crackdown, according to a police statement.

From Dec. 7 to Jan. 2, law enforcement officers will increase enforcement of impaired driving laws.

The holiday season is traditionally a time for social gatherings, which often include alcohol. The program’s goal is to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving. The police will arrest motorists who choose to drive while impaired by drugs or alcohol.

Impaired drivers kill nearly 18,000 people on our nation’s roads annually, according to the Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA reports that nearly 97 percent of Americans view drinking and driving by others as a threat.

“This holiday season is a time for joy, not tragedy,” said Pam Fisher, director of the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety. “The law enforcement community and safety organizations of the state are committed to eliminating impaired driving from our roads, so that we may all enjoy a safe and happy holiday season.”

Police advise people to be responsible, plan to choose a designated driver if drinking, make plans to use mass transit or a taxi cab to get home, spend the night where the activity is held, report impaired drivers and always buckle up.