Attorney General’s Office, Division of Highway Traffic Safety Announce ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ Campaign to Save Lives by Combating Impaired Driving

2025 Final Grantee List

TRENTON – Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Highway Traffic Safety (HTS) today announced the launch of enhanced enforcement efforts to deter impaired driving in New Jersey. Grant funding from HTS will support law enforcement agencies across the state in conducting patrols and sobriety checkpoints to remove alcohol- and drug-impaired drivers from the roads.

The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign runs until Labor Day, which is September 1. It is part of a national initiative aimed at reducing crash risks and increasing awareness about impaired driving during the busy summer months. To aid New Jersey’s enforcement, HTS has granted $564,130 to 102 police agencies statewide, supporting increased patrols and high-visibility sobriety checkpoints during this typically hazardous period.

“Driving under the influence is not just a bad decision. It’s a tragedy waiting to happen,” said Attorney General Platkin. “Every crash caused by alcohol or drugs is one too many. We are committed to reducing the number of preventable deaths and protecting every community across New Jersey. We owe it to each other, to our families, our neighbors, and our future to choose to drive sober and hold each other accountable.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) most recent data, 12,429 individuals died in drunk-driving crashes in 2023 in the United States – roughly 34 each day, equivalent to one life lost every 42 minutes.

State-level data compiled by NHTSA shows there were only six states – Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, New Hampshire, and the District of Columbia – that had a lower percentage of traffic fatalities involving alcohol-impaired drivers than New Jersey. New Jersey State Police data shows the number of intoxicated drivers involved in fatal crashes decreased from 2022 to 2023.

“Impaired driving is entirely preventable,” said Michael J. Rizol Jr., Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety. “If you drink or use drugs, don’t get behind the wheel. Make a plan, call a friend, or use a rideshare. The decision to drive sober isn’t just personal. It impacts countless others. We all have the power to choose wisely. Your choices behind the wheel don’t just affect you. They impact everyone on the road. Don’t let one reckless decision turn into someone else’s tragedy. Drive sober. Drive drug-free. Every time.”

For those arrested for impaired driving, the legal repercussions could include fines of up to $10,000. Impaired drivers who are involved in a crash may be sentenced to prison and face a permanent criminal record.

During the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign leading up to Labor Day in 2024, the stepped-up efforts by law enforcement agencies resulted in 633 arrests for driving while intoxicated, 3,568 speeding tickets, and 1,608 seatbelt summonses.

Along with helping law enforcement keep roads safe, HTS encourages people to have honest conversations with their families and friends about responsible drinking and the dangers of impaired driving. Raising awareness and encouraging responsible behavior are key to reducing alcohol-related crashes and deaths.

For more information on impaired driving, visit www.NJSafeRoads.com

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