Sobriety checkpoint slated Friday, early Saturday in Hopewell Township

It will run from 9 p.m. Friday to 2 a.m. Saturday

By John Tredrea
   The Hopewell Township Police Department will run a five-hour sobriety checkpoint, beginning Friday night. It will run from 9 p.m. Friday to 2 a.m. Saturday.
   The sobriety checkpoint will be conducted on Route 31 northbound at the Pennington Circle.
   "The Police Department has experienced a disproportionately high number of crashes along this section of roadway, many of them serious, and some involving alcohol," township police Chief George Meyer said Monday.
   "The purpose of the checkpoint is to educate motorists about alcohol-related motor vehicle offenses. Individuals passing through the checkpoint will receive information packets regarding alcohol-related offenses. The New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) will provide the information," the chief said.
   The checkpoint is part of the state’s "Over the Limit, Under Arrest 2007 Crackdown." The program involves increased enforcement of laws against driving while intoxicated. Enforcement will take place at the checkpoint, as needed.
   The summer driving season, which concludes with the Labor Day holiday, is "traditionally a time for social gatherings, which often include alcohol," officials involved with the program have said. "The goal of the program is to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving through high-visibility enforcement, and to arrest motorists who choose to drive while impaired by drugs or alcohol."
   In 2004, township police made 64 arrests for driving while intoxicated (15 of those arrests involved motor vehicle crashes).
   In 2005, the local department made 87 arrests for driving while intoxicated (15 involving motor vehicle crashes).
   In 2006, the department arrested 69 people for driving while intoxicated (9 involving motor vehicle crashes).
   As of Aug. 20, 2007 the department had arrested 47 people for driving while intoxicated (12 involving motor vehicle crashes).
   Law enforcement agencies participating in the "Over the Limit, Under Arrest 2007 Crackdown" offer the following advice:
   — Be responsible and don’t risk it. You will get caught.
   — If you plan to drink, choose a designated driver before going out.
   — Realize before going out that every drink you have makes it more difficult to know when you’ve had too much to drive.
   — Take mass transit, a taxicab, or ask a sober friend to drive you home.
   — Spend the night where the activity is held.
   — Report impaired drivers to law enforcement.
   — Always buckle up. It’s your best defense against an impaired driver.