Don't Let A Fifth, Or A Six-Pack, Ruin Your Fourth; Brick Police On DWI Alert

Everyone loves to celebrate the Fourth of July, with barbecues and parties on land and by sea. But law enforcement authorities are urging motorists and boaters to avoid getting behind the wheel if they have been drinking.

While some areas will have specific DUI checkpoints looking for motorists who’ve had too much to drink, Brick Township police will be on the lookout for drunk drivers throughout town.

The township will get an assist from Ocean County law enforcement. Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato said earlier this summer that the county would be assisting and supplementing the efforts of local towns by staging numerous checkpoints throughout the county and conducting DWI enforcement patrols.

In making his announcement, Coronato reminded drivers that an extra measure of caution and not operating under the influence can prevent tragedy.

“The added volume of summer shore traffic calls for increased vigilance by law enforcement,” Coronato said. “We ask that drivers do their part by driving responsibly and making smart choices behind the wheel every day of the year.”

In addition to looking for drivers impaired by alcohol, Coronato said, the checkpoints also have drug recognition experts to detect those under the influence of narcotics.

Each year impaired drivers are responsible for about a third of the deaths occurring on Ocean County roadways. In 2013 Ocean County had 51 fatalities, the second highest number in the state, while 2014 saw 46 deaths on Ocean County roadways.