Westwood, Washington Twp. Police Cracking Down on Drunk Driving

Local police will set up sobriety checkpoints and increase patrols as part of the national "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign starting Friday.

The Westwood and Washington Township Police Departments each received $4,400 grants for the campaign, according to the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety.

The campaign, which runs from August 16 through September 2 in an effort to curb drunk driving around Labor Day and other busy travel times.

Nineteen percent of motor vehicle-related fatalities in New Jersey last year were caused by alcohol, according to a press release from Westwood Police. 

"Recent surveys indicate that many people harbor the dangerous belief that after a few drinks they’re still safe to drive," Gary Poedubicky, acting director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety said in a press release. "Even one drink can impair your judgment and reaction time, putting not only yourself, but everyone on the road, in danger."

Police advised anyone who drinks to have a designated driver or other safe transportation to get home. 

Anyone who wants to report a potential drunk driver in New Jersey can dial #77.