Mayor’s Column
As we have done in past years, the Voorhees Township Police Department will be cracking down on drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs during our end of the year “Safe Driving Campaign.” This increased presence will continue through January 1, 2018 and will include conducting saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints focusing on motorists who may be intoxicated while driving.
During the last five years, New Jersey has experienced over 41,000 alcohol involved crashes resulting in more than 800 fatalities. Last year, 29% of all motor vehicle fatalities in New Jersey were alcohol related. During the last decade, more than 1,800 people lost their lives in crashes involving a drunk driver in New Jersey.
Our Police offer the following advice for the holiday season:
- Take mass transit, a taxi, Uber or similar service or ask a sober friend to drive you home.
- If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your action may save someone’s life and failure to act could cost a life.
- Spend the night where the activity or party is held.
- Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel.
Voorhees Township has continued our “Voorhees/Evesham Saves Lives Program” to help our residents get home safely from local bars and restaurants. This program is a joint venture between Voorhees and Evesham Townships providing free rides home from participating establishments to residents of either municipality. Residents simply open the Uber app at one of the participating restaurants/bars and will see a “safe ride” option at the bottom of the screen. A free Uber ride home will be provided. The free service will not be provided from one establishment to another. “Voorhees/Evesham Saves Lives” utilizes an agreement with Uber and is available seven days a week from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. To date, the program has safely taken thousands of Evesham and Voorhees residents to their homes free of charge.
No tax dollars are used for this program. It is fully funded through contributions from local foundations, donors and businesses.
Enjoy the holidays and please be safe!
** Santa Claus has arrived at the Voorhees Town Center! He will be available for photographs Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pet photos with Santa are available from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays. For more information about holiday events, visit www.voorheestowncenter.com.
