NJ's "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" Campaign Aims to Curb Impaired Driving During Holidays

Attorney General Platkin and HTS Launch Intensive Initiative to Enhance Road Safety and Mitigate DUI Incidents Through January 1.

Morristown, NJ: To combat the heightened risk of impaired driving during the holiday season, New Jersey's Attorney General, Matthew J. Platkin, and the HTS have launched their annual campaign, "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over." This statewide initiative, starting today and lasting until the new year, aims to reduce incidents of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a major contributor to road fatalities and accidents.

The HTS has earmarked over $795,000 in grants, enabling 132 police agencies to intensify patrols and establish sobriety checkpoints. This financial boost is crucial for law enforcement in their endeavor to ensure safer roads during the holiday rush.

"Getting behind the wheel while impaired is a serious and dangerous decision that comes with real-life consequences," Attorney General Platkin emphasized. He further stressed the campaign's role in augmenting enforcement and ensuring family safety during the holidays.

During the 2022 holiday period, New Jersey witnessed 69 fatalities in crashes involving impaired drivers, underscoring the critical need for such campaigns. Nationwide, the NHTSA reported over 4,500 deaths in December alone from 2017 to 2021 due to alcohol-impaired crashes.

Director of the HTS, Michael J. Rizol Jr., highlighted the severe legal and moral repercussions of impaired driving, urging residents and visitors to make responsible choices.

“Choosing to drive under the influence is an irresponsible and senseless decision that jeopardizes lives,” said Michael J. Rizol Jr., Director of the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety.

In the previous year's campaign, law enforcement agencies arrested 574 drivers for impairment, and thousands of summonses were issued for various traffic violations, reflecting the campaign's extensive impact.

As the festive season nears, New Jersey officials encourage everyone to celebrate responsibly and commit to safe driving practices. For more information, visit www.NJSafeRoads.com.