Toms River and Brick Police Set Up DWI Checkpoints This Weekend

Make transportation arrangements ahead of time If you're planning to celebrate the Labor Day Weekend with alcohol or drugs in Ocean County. The Toms River and Brick Township Police Departments will be taking part in a multi-agency crackdown on drunk and impaired drivers.

Toms River Police Lieutenant James Harris didn't have all the specifics but he says they're working with the New Jersey State Police and the Ocean County Prosecutors office to set up DWI Checkpoints.

Harris says they are seeing an increase in the number of drunk and impaired motorists on the roadways and he says alcohol isn't their only problem. "We've actually seen a rise in the prescription drugs and driving while impaired on drugs and chemical substances rather than alcohol." He says because of that, they've been conducting roving patrols.

Harris says when they conduct similar check points, they also tend to cite motorists for registration and drivers license infractions, outstanding warrants and drug offenses but he says they're main goal is to remove impaired motorists from the roadway.

He says impaired motorist face the loss of their license and heavy fines.

Toms River Police have logged 137 arrests for driving while impaired so far this year...67 less than in all of 2011.