JCPD takes Proactive Approach to Crack Down on Potential Roadway Tragedies by Targeting Drunk Drivers this Memorial Day Weekend

JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop, Public Safety Director James Shea, and Police Chief Michael Kelly announce the Jersey City Police Department’s efforts to crack down on drunken driving over the three-day Memorial Day Weekend by conducting sobriety checkpoints.

“Collision statistics show car accidents involving impaired drivers rise dramatically over the summer, beginning Memorial Day weekend,” said Mayor Fulop.  “Our intention is twofold: to deter people from drinking and driving, and to catch drunk drivers before they end up involved in a tragic, or even fatal, crash.”

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Memorial Day weekend is one of the deadliest times of the year on roadways, with a significant uptick in highway crash fatalities involving impaired drivers.  On average, every two hours, three people are killed in alcohol-related highway crashes.  As a result, the Jersey City Police Department will be conducting the sobriety checkpoints to deter and detect motorists who choose to drink and drive and ultimately contribute to these fatal statistics.

“Our message is simple – Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk,” says Chief Kelly. “We encourage anyone planning on drinking this Memorial Day weekend, or anytime for that matter, to be responsible and designate either a sober driver, arrange for an Uber, or use the public transportation system.”

The New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety will fund this DWI Checkpoint through a grant the Jersey City Police Department recently received which supports not only DWI enforcement, but also Pedestrian Safety, Seatbelt Use, and Aggressive Driving Enforcement.

Law enforcement officials will be evaluating drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment. Police officers will also target impaired drivers by observing moving violations such as no seatbelt, reckless driving, speeding, aggressive driving, and cell phone use.