Police departments throughout New Jersey are intensifying efforts to combat drunk driving as the holiday season approaches, with the launch of the annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. This initiative, organized by the state Division of Highway Traffic Safety, began on Friday and will continue until January 1.
To bolster these efforts, state officials have allocated $703,500 in grants to 125 law enforcement agencies across the state. These funds are designated for additional patrols and impaired driving checkpoints aimed at ensuring safety on the roads during a time often marked by increased festivities and alcohol consumption.
Last year’s initiative saw significant enforcement actions, with participating police departments making 590 impaired driving arrests. Additionally, they issued nearly 3,000 speeding tickets alongside over 1,000 seat belt summonses.
The importance of these crackdowns is underscored by alarming statistics indicating that nearly one-third of the 647 fatal crashes in New Jersey this year involved a driver under the influence of alcohol. These accidents led to a tragic total of 684 fatalities. However, there has been some improvement compared to previous years, as the state has reported a decrease in fatal crashes this year, with 502 incidents resulting in 535 deaths.
Attorney General Matt Platkin emphasized the devastating impact of impaired driving, stating, “No one wants an empty seat at the holiday table. Impaired driving is completely unacceptable and can have devastating consequences.” He reassured the public that police will be vigilant in removing impaired drivers from the roads throughout the holiday season in order to protect families across New Jersey.
Below is a list of the 125 law enforcement agencies receiving grants to support these crucial efforts:
Atlantic County:
- Absecon: $4,200
- Atlantic City: $8,750
- Atlantic County Sheriff: $2,100
- Brigantine: $2,800
- Egg Harbor City: $1,400
- Galloway: $8,750
- Hamilton: $8,750
- Hammonton: $2,800
- Mullica: $5,600
- Pleasantville: $2,800
- Ventnor: $2,800
Bergen County:
- Cliffside Park: $7,000
- Fair Lawn: $7,000
- Fairview: $7,000
- Franklin Lakes: $7,000
- Garfield: $7,000
- Leonia: $7,000
- Montvale: $7,000
- New Milford: $7,000
- Palisades Park: $7,000
- Woodcliff Lake: $7,000
Burlington County:
- Burlington Township: $7,000
- Mount Holly: $7,000
- Pemberton: $7,000
Camden County:
- Gloucester Township: $10,500
- Lawnside: $7,000
- Stratford: $7,000
- Winslow: $7,000
Cape May County:
- Lower: $5,600
- Middle: $5,600
- North Wildwood: $2,100
- Wildwood: $2,800
- Wildwood Crest: $2,100
Essex County:
- Bloomfield: $7,000
- East Orange: $7,000
- Fairfield: $7,000
- Maplewood: $7,000
- Millburn: $7,000
- Montclair: $10,500
- Newark: $10,500
- Nutley: $7,000
- Orange: $7,000
Gloucester County:
- Clayton: $1,120
- Deptford: $1,400
- East Greenwich: $2,800
- Elk: $2,240
- Franklin: $4,200
- Glassboro: $6,160
- Greenwich: $1,400
- Harrison: $1,400
- Logan: $3,360
- Mantua: $6,160
- Monroe: $4,200
- Paulsboro: $2,800
- Pitman: $5,040
- Washington: $8,400
- Westville: $4,760
- Woodbury: $6,160
- Woolrich: $2,800
Hudson County:
- Bayonne: $7,000
- Guttenberg: $7,000
- Harrison: $7,000
- Hoboken: $7,000
- North Bergen: $8,750
- Secaucus: $7,000
Hunterdon County:
- Clinton Town: $2,800
- Clinton Township: $5,600
- Frenchtown: $2,100
- Lambertville: $1,400
- Lebanon: $1,400
- Tewksbury: $2,800
- West Amwell: $2,100
Mercer County:
- Hamilton: $7,000
- Robbinsville: $7,000
Middlesex County:
- Carteret: $7,000
- Dunellen: $7,000
- Metuchen: $7,000
- Monroe: $7,000
- Old Bridge: $7,000
- Piscataway: $7,000
- Plainsboro: $7,000
- South Brunswick: $7,000
- South Plainfield: $7,000
Monmouth County:
- Belmar: $7,000
- East Windsor: $7,000
- Freehold: $7,000
- Howell: $7,000
- Red Bank: $7,000
Morris County:
- Butler: $7,000
- Dover: $7,000
- Parsippany-Troy Hills: $7,000
Ocean County:
- Bay Head: $7,000
- Lakewood: $10,500
- Ocean Gate: $7,000
- Stafford: $7,000
Passaic County:
- Bloomingdale: $7,000
- Little Falls: $7,000
- Passaic: $10,500
- Paterson: $10,500
- Prospect Park: $7,000
- West Milford: $7,000
Somerset County:
- Bedminster: $2,800
- Branchburg: $2,100
- Bridgewater: $2,100
- Far Hills: $3,500
- Franklin: $1,680
- Green Brook: $3,500
- Hillsborough: $3,500
- Manville: $3,360
- Montgomery: $3,080
- North Plainfield: $3,080
- Peapack Gladstone: $4,200
- Raritan: $2,100
- Somerset County Sheriff: $2,100
- Somerville: $3,500
- Warren: $3,500
- Watchung: $2,100
Sussex County:
- Franklin: $7,000
- Hamburg: $7,000
- Hopatcong: $7,000
- Sparta: $7,000
Union County:
- Cranford: $7,000
- Fanwood: $7,000
- Plainfield: $7,000
- Roselle Park: $7,000
As the holiday season progresses, authorities remain committed to ensuring the safety of drivers and the general public. The intensified enforcement measures aim to deter impaired driving and save lives across the state.
