Commensurate with the kickoff of the statewide "Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over" campaign, running through Labor Day, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato adds an extra measure of oversight with a weekend DWI and road-rules checkpoint on Route 35 in Brick Township.

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Officers will watch not only for impaired drivers, but also for those who ignore pedestrians and bicyclists. The aim is to promote responsible driving on a length of highway that routinely sees high volumes of walkers during summer.

“It is so very important for drivers along the entire length of the Route 35 beach road to use an extra measure of caution due to the constant summer foot and bike traffic," Coronato said in prepared comments. "Tragedies can only be avoided if drivers slow down and absolutely don’t drive impaired.”

Law enforcement officials say that the thrust of the effort is not simply to identify impaired, careless or aggressive drivers, but to educate and, when necessary, arrest and prosecute violators.

Local police will be stationed alongside the highway, in collaboration with detectives of the Prosecutor's Office and K-9 teams from Sheriff Mike Mastronardy's office - meaning that they'll be watching for evidence of drugs as well as of alcohol.

The checkpoint is financed partly by the Ocean County Board of Freeholders and New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, It's coordinated by the Prosecutor's Vehicular Homicide Unit and Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Michael Weatherstone.

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