The Hudson County Sheriff’s Office has announced that they will be participating in the national end of summer “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.Â
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Beginning August 19 and running through September 5, county, local and state law enforcement officers will conduct sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols, looking for motorists who may be driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
“Our participation in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign looks to curtail impaired driving during the busy summer travel season, including the Labor Day holiday period,” Sheriff Frank Schillari said in a statement.
“Even one drink can impair your judgment and reaction time, putting not only yourself, but everyone on the road, in danger. I will be adding extra patrols and a checkpoint as part of our enforcement efforts.”
Schillari added that the extra patrols are paid for via a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, specifically designated toward the Drive Sober or Get Pulled campaign.
In 2014, alcohol-impaired fatalities accounted for 27 percent of New Jersey’s motor vehicle fatalities.
As part of the initiative, the Division of Highway Traffic Safety provides grants to local law enforcement agencies throughout the state to run the two-week campaign.
“Last year, 20% of the fatal crashes in Hudson County were alcohol related,” added Schillari.
The Hoboken Police Department announced earlier this week that they will also be participating in the initiative.