Mayor’s Message: Safe Driving Campaign underway in Voorhees
Remember to drive safe this holiday season and always, with these helpful tips offered by Voorhees Township and the Voorhees Township Police Department
For the protection of our community, 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 Jan. 1, 2019 and will include saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints focusing on motorists who may be intoxicated while driving.
Every holiday season, hundreds of lives are lost due to drunk drivers. Nationally, over the past five years, an average of 300 people died in drunk driving crashes the week between Christmas and New Year. Alcohol-impaired fatalities make up more than a quarter of all crash fatalities. In 2016, 781 people lost their lives in drunk-driving-related crashes in the month of December alone.
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. Your pick up and drop off address must have a Marlton or Voorhees address in order to get this free service.
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 to 9 p.m. on Mondays. For more information about holiday events, visitwww.voorheestowncenter.com.
** The Voorhees Arts Center invites you to escape from the holiday chaos with an event to create your holiday gifts. Learn to make artisan soap, a fancy candle and customized bath salts. The event is Wednesda,y Dec. 19 from 7 to 9 p.m. This is also BYOB so you are welcomed to bring some wine, they say your more creative with a glass in your hand. The cost is $25 and includes all 3 items. Space is limited register at (609) 315–6218.
