New Jersey Criminal Defense Blog

There are many gatherings and events to look forward to during the holiday season. However, coming upon a DWI checkpoint is not one of them. According to a Daily Record report, after receiving a DWI Enforcement Grant from the New Jersey Division of Highway Safety, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office implemented DWI checkpoints during Thanksgiving and will do so throughout the holiday season to conduct DWI checkpoints with municipal police departments at different Morris County locations.

The Division of Highway Safety will use this opportunity to educate motorists about the consequences of driving while impaired. When stopped at the DWI checkpoints, drivers will be given pamphlets describing the repercussions of impaired driving in addition to being told by law enforcement that first-time offenders may lose their driving privileges for up to seven months and face fines, insurance surcharges and legal fees amounting to as much as $15,000.

In discussing the reasons for conducting DWI checkpoints, New Jersey’s Division of Highway Safety’s website says the following: “Although every year 1.5 million impaired drivers are arrested, only one arrest is made for every 772 occurrences of driving under the influence of alcohol. Repeat offenders account for a high number of alcohol-related crashes.”