Barnegat's Labor Day 'Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over' Campaign Has Already Begun

You've been warned.

Barnegat Township police and departments around New Jersey are participating in the annual nationwide "Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over" Labor Day crackdown on drunk drivers.

But the initiative won't begin on Labor Day. It already began on Aug. 18 and will run through Labor Day.

Barnegat and state law enforcement officers will conduct sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols to catch drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs.

“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” is a national campaign designed to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving through high-visibility enforcement backed up by educational activities, like national radio and television advertisements, posters, banners and mobile video display signs.

Almost 30 percent of motor vehicle fatalities are alcohol-related, said Gary Poedubicky, Acting Director of the state Division of Highway Traffic Safety.

“This is a zero tolerance campaign. If drivers are caught operating their vehicle while impaired they will be arrested,” he added.

The DHS provides grants to local police departments for the two-week campaign. Last year, 1,649 drunk drivers were arrested, he said.

Here's some advice for getting through the campaign safely:

· If you plan to drink, designate a driver, someone who will not drink alcohol, before going out.
· Take mass transit, a taxi or ask a sober friend to drive you home.
· Spend the night where the activity is held.
· Always buckle up, every ride, regardless of your seating position in the vehicle. It’s your best defense against an impaired driver.
· If you’re intoxicated and traveling on foot, the safest way to get home is to take a cab or have a sober friend or family member drive you to your doorstep.