NJ kicks off holiday ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ campaign to curb impaired driving
NEW JERSEY — Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Highway Traffic Safety (HTS) on Friday announced the start of New Jersey’s annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, a statewide enforcement effort aimed at preventing impaired driving during the holiday season.
To reduce fatalities and keep impaired drivers off the road, HTS is providing $703,500 in grants to 125 law enforcement agencies to support increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints from Dec. 5, 2025, through Jan. 1, 2026. The holiday season historically brings a spike in crashes caused by impaired drivers, officials said.
“No one wants an empty seat at the holiday table,” Attorney General Platkin said. “Impaired driving is completely unacceptable and can have devastating consequences. Police across the state will be out removing impaired drivers from the road to protect New Jersey families during the holiday season.”
Michael J. Rizol Jr., director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety, said the state has seen a decline in fatal crashes so far this year, but the coming weeks remain dangerous.
“So far, New Jersey has seen a decrease in fatal crashes in 2025 compared to last year,” Rizol said. “However, we are approaching a dangerous time of year when we see an increase in impaired driving. We urge everyone to make a plan to get home safely and never drive under the influence of alcohol or other substances.”
New Jersey recorded 647 fatal crashes resulting in 684 deaths last year. Of the drivers involved, 32.5% had been drinking, according to state data.
Last year’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign issued more than 590 impaired driving arrests, along with 2,948 speeding summonses and 1,038 seat belt citations. HTS awarded $732,400 in grants to 130 agencies for that effort.
This year’s grant recipients in North Jersey include:
- Hunterdon County: Clinton Town ($2,800), Clinton Township ($5,600), Frenchtown ($2,100), Lambertville ($1,400), Lebanon ($1,400), Tewksbury ($2,800), West Amwell ($2,100).
- Morris County: Butler ($7,000), Dover ($7,000), Parsippany-Troy Hills ($7,000).
- Somerset County: Bedminster ($2,800), Branchburg ($2,100), Bridgewater ($2,100), Far Hills ($3,500), Franklin ($1,680), Green Brook ($3,500), Hillsborough ($3,500), Manville ($3,360), Montgomery ($3,080), North Plainfield ($3,080), Peapack-Gladstone ($4,200), Raritan ($2,100), Somerset County Sheriff’s Office ($2,100), Somerville ($3,500), Warren Township ($3,500), Watchung ($2,100).
- Sussex County: Franklin ($7,000), Hamburg ($7,000), Hopatcong ($7,000), Sparta ($7,000).
A full list of agencies receiving funding is available online.
For more information, visit NJSafeRoads.com.
