Grants fund police enforcement of DWI laws

Enhanced enforcement efforts to deter impaired driving in New Jersey were launched Aug. 15 and will continue until Labor Day, said Attorney General Matthew Platkin and the Division of Highway Traffic Safety (HTS).

HTS grant funding will support law enforcement agencies throughout the state in conducting patrols and sobriety checkpoints to remove alcohol- and drug-impaired drivers from the roads.

The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign is part of a national initiative aimed at reducing crash risks and increasing awareness about impaired driving during the summer.

To aid New Jersey’s enforcement, HTS has granted $564,130 to 102 police agencies statewide, supporting increased patrols and high-visibility sobriety checkpoints during this typically hazardous period.

“Driving under the influence is not just a bad decision. It’s a tragedy waiting to happen,” Platkin said. “Every crash caused by alcohol or drugs is one too many. We are committed to reducing the number of preventable deaths and protecting every community across New Jersey. We owe it to each other, to our families, our neighbors and our future to choose to drive sober and hold each other accountable.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) most recent data, 12,429 individuals died in drunk-driving crashes in 2023 in the United States - roughly 34 each day, equivalent to one life lost every 42 minutes.

State-level data compiled by NHTSA shows that only six states - Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, New Hampshire and the District of Columbia - had a lower percentage of traffic fatalities involving alcohol-impaired drivers than New Jersey.

New Jersey State Police data shows the number of intoxicated drivers involved in fatal crashes decreased from 2022 to 2023.

“Impaired driving is entirely preventable,” said Michael Rizol Jr., HTS director. “If you drink or use drugs, don’t get behind the wheel. Make a plan, call a friend or use a rideshare.

“The decision to drive sober isn’t just personal. It impacts countless others. We all have the power to choose wisely. Your choices behind the wheel don’t just affect you. They impact everyone on the road. Don’t let one reckless decision turn into someone else’s tragedy. Drive sober. Drive drug-free. Every time.”

For those arrested for impaired driving, the legal repercussions could include fines of up to $10,000. Impaired drivers who are involved in a crash may be sentenced to prison and face a permanent criminal record.

During the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign leading up to Labor Day last year, the stepped-up efforts by law enforcement agencies resulted in 633 arrests for driving while intoxicated, 3,568 speeding tickets and 1,608 seatbelt summonses.