NJ Launches Summer-End “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Campaign

Attorney General’s Office, Division of Highway Traffic Safety Announce “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Campaign to Save Lives.Photo byMorristown Minute

Enhanced enforcement aims to curb impaired driving statewide, supported by over $540,000 in grant funding.

NEW JERSEY - As summer draws to a close, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Highway Traffic Safety (HTS) have announced the start of an intensified campaign to combat impaired driving across New Jersey. The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” initiative, kicking off today and running through Labor Day on September 2, seeks to reduce crash risks and heighten awareness about the dangers of impaired driving during the busy summer season.

“Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not a mistake. It’s a crime that puts everyone on the road at risk,” said Attorney General Platkin. “The consequences are devastating and far-reaching – but preventable through responsible behavior and vigilant law enforcement. The campaign announced today provides overtime funds to police agencies across the state to help keep impaired drivers off our roads and avoid tragic outcomes for New Jersey families.”

Supported by $540,680 in grant funding from HTS, 110 police agencies across the state will participate in saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints, targeting alcohol- and drug-impaired drivers. These efforts are part of a broader nationwide campaign aimed at keeping roadways safe during one of the most hazardous times of the year for traffic incidents.

The latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveals the alarming toll of drunk driving, with 13,524 fatalities reported in 2022 across the United States—an average of 37 deaths per day, or one every 39 minutes. While New Jersey ranks relatively low compared to other states, with fewer traffic fatalities involving alcohol-impaired drivers, state data shows a concerning rise in the number of intoxicated drivers involved in fatal crashes from 2020 to 2022.

“Impaired driving is a direct threat to the safety of everyone on the road. It’s a matter of responsibility: Each driver has a duty to make safe choices behind the wheel, for their own well-being and that of others,” said Michael J. Rizol Jr., Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety. “If you choose to drive while impaired, you’re recklessly gambling with your life and the lives of the other people sharing the road.”

The legal consequences for impaired driving in New Jersey are severe, including fines of up to $10,000 and potential prison sentences, especially for those involved in crashes. Last year, the campaign's enhanced enforcement led to 350 arrests for driving while intoxicated, alongside numerous other violations, underscoring the state’s commitment to road safety.

HTS also encourages New Jersey residents to engage in open conversations about responsible drinking and the risks of impaired driving. Education and awareness are seen as crucial in preventing alcohol-related crashes and saving lives.

For more details on impaired driving prevention, visit www.NJSafeRoads.com.

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