Police, Fire & Courts

State Troopers to Set Up DWI Checkpoint on Parkway March 7

by
Daniel Nee
February 26, 2015

NJ State Police (File Photo)

The New Jersey State Police announced a sobriety checkpoint will be set up on the Garden State Parkway on March 7 – the same day as the Seaside Heights St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Troopers will man a checkpoint at an undisclosed location in Monmouth County, according to the announcement. Vehicles traveling on Parkway may be stopped between the hours of 6 p.m. Saturday and 2 a.m. Sunday morning.

“Are we losing the element of surprise by sending out this message ahead of time?” the statement said. “Maybe, but people who choose to drive after drinking already know how expensive, life-changing, and deadly such a decision can be. But they do it anyway in total disregard for their safety and the safety of everyone else on the road. We’re assuming that their poor judgment will not impede our ability to take drunk drivers off the road just because of a little advance warning.”

State Police said they are urging motorists who see a driver posing a hazard on the road to dial #77 from a hands-free mobile phone.

“Be ready to give a description of the vehicle and occupants, a location and direction, and a license plate if possible,” the statement said. “The better the info, the better our chances of stopping the vehicle, BUT, do not get too close to the vehicle just to get this information. Your safety is more important to us than getting a perfect description.”