DWI/Distracted Driving Checkpoint Slated For Route 9 In Berkeley

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, NJ - You've been warned.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office is cracking down on impaired, distracted and aggressive drivers on both Saturday and Sunday on Route 9 in an effort to slow people down and promote responsible driving.

“It is so very important for drivers along the entire length of the Route 9 roadway to use an extra measure of caution," Coronato said. "Tragedies can only be avoided if drivers slow down and absolutely don’t drive impaired."

The initiative comes only days after a horrific accident where a driver plowed into a utility pole, then destroyed Der Wunder Weiner, a local business and severely injured the owner, a Beachwood Councilman

This section of Route 9 is known for its high vehicle and pedestrian traffic, especially during the busy summer season, he said.

"The purpose of this effort is to detect, educate, deter, arrest, and vigorously prosecute impaired drivers, while also making Ocean County roads safer," Coronato said.

The program will target those under the influence of alcohol, but will also pay close attention to those violating all New Jersey traffic statutes.

The checkpoint program will be conducted by local police agencies and detectives from the Prosecutor’s Office and Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit and will focus on both intoxicated and drug impaired drivers. The program is operated/coordinated by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Vehicular Homicide Unit under the direction of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Michael Weatherstone.

It's funded in part by the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety.

Photo: Courtesy of Ocean County Prosecutor's Office