Mahwah Police Participating In Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over Campaign

Mahwah police are joining a nationwide effort to crack down on drunk driving.

The Mahwah Police Department will participate in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign beginning Aug. 21, which combines increased public education and high-visibility enforcement.

In 2013, the last year statistics are available for, there were 147 alcohol impaired driving fatalities in New Jersey and 10,078 nationwide, authorities said.

More than 27 percent of fatalities in New Jersey involved alcohol impaired driving, authorities said; 16 percent of alcohol driving fatalities involved drivers younger than 21.

“While these may just be statistics, they respect the loss of life of members, friends, and neighbors and a lifetime of heartache and life-changing incidents across the state and nation,” Chief James Batelli said. “Our agency has always taken a very proactive position towards intoxicated drivers.”

Batelli said random patrols and driving while intoxicated checkpoints will be conducted in Mahwah.