OCEAN COUNTY PROSECUTOR CALLS FOR RT35 DWI/TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT
Toms River, NJ – With the start of the busy summer travel season, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato today announced a special DWI/Traffic checkpoint detail this coming weekend along Route 35 in Point Pleasant Beach. The program’s design creates a force multiplier by regionalizing and supplementing local DWI enforcement. In making his announcement, Prosecutor Coronato reminded drivers that an extra measure of caution and not operating under the influence could prevent tragedy.
Prosecutor Coronato stated, “The tremendous added volume of summer shore vehicle and pedestrian traffic calls for increased vigilance by law enforcement, and that will be the focus over this coming weekend. We ask that drivers do their part by driving responsibly and making smart choices behind the wheel every day of the year.”
Inattentive and aggressive drivers are always targets of law enforcements’ regular patrols, the purpose of this effort is to detect, educate, deter, arrest, and vigorously prosecute impaired drivers, while also making Ocean County roads safer for the added pedestrian traffic. The program targets those under the influence of alcohol, but in response to Ocean County’s drug crisis also utilizes an addition of two Drug Recognition Experts at each check point to detect those under the influence of narcotics. The county also oversees a countywide call out system for DRE’s to respond and assist agencies in conducting evaluations of subjects suspected to be operating a motor vehicle under the influence of narcotics.
The yearly Ocean County fatal totals show some drivers are not getting the message. Last year Ocean County had 45 fatalities on our roadways. To date there have already been 26 roadway fatalities in our county.
The checkpoint program, which is funded in part by the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, will be conducted by local police agencies in conjunction with Detectives from the Prosecutor’s Office and Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit focusing on both intoxicated and drug impaired drivers. The program is operated/coordinated by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Vehicular Homicide Unit under the direction of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Michael Weatherstone.
The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Follow the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor online at Twitter and Facebook. The social media links provided are for reference only. The OCPO does not endorse any non-governmental websites, companies or applications. For additional information visit our website at oceancountyprosecutor.org. Please send all press inquiries to Al Della Fave 732-288-7616 (OFFICE) 732-814-7347 (CELL) and [email protected].