August 17, 2016

Massive drunk driving crackdown launches today in New Jersey

More than 50 agencies from river to sea will participate in South Jersey

By PhillyVoice Staff

New Jersey’s massive annual drunk driving crackdown begins today.

Law enforcement officers from more than 50 agencies – from Cherry Hill to Harvey Cedars to Medford – will be manning sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols from Friday through Sept. 5 as part of the 2016 Labor Day statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.

Tips to avoid getting pulled over
If you plan to drink, designate a driver, someone who will not drink alcohol, before going out
Take mass transit, a taxi or ask a sober friend to drive you home
Spend the night where the activity is held
Always buckle up, every ride, regardless of your seating position in the vehicle. It’s your best defense against an impaired driver
If you’re intoxicated and traveling on foot, the safest way to get home is to take a cab, or have a sober friend or family member drive you to your doorstep

The national campaign raises awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving through high-visibility enforcement backed up by public educational efforts including national radio and television advertisements and posters. It seeks to curtail impaired driving during the busy summer travel season.

“Many people believe that after a few drinks they’re still safe to drive,” said Gary Poedubicky, acting director of the NJ Division of Highway Traffic Safety, in a statement. “Even one drink can impair your judgment and reaction time, putting not only yourself, but everyone on the road, in danger.”

“There is a zero tolerance message for this campaign. If drivers are caught operating their vehicle while impaired they will be arrested,” he added.

In 2013, 27 percent of New Jersey’s motor vehicle fatalities involved alcohol impairment.

The following agencies received $5,000 grants from the state Division of Highway Traffic Safety to run the two-week campaign: