The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office will continue its drunk-driving enforcement efforts throughout the month of September on Somerset County roads. The “Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over” campaign, which ran from Aug. 15 through Labor Day, has resulted in the arrest and charging of several offenders, in addition to many other arrests on various outstanding warrants.

Through a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the Sheriff’s Office has been able to take part in this program.

Sheriff Frank Provenzano and the NHTSA want to remind motorists about the consequences of drinking and driving. “Driving While Impaired (DWI) is a serious crime that is 100 percent preventable, said Sheriff Provenzano. “Drunk driving will not be tolerated and offenders will be stopped, arrested and charged.”

According to the NHTSA, on average there is one alcohol-impaired, driving-related fatality every 51 minutes across the United States . High-visibility enforcement, such as the “Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over” campaign reportedly reduces alcohol-impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent.

“Being arrested for driving drunk brings an extensive series of negative consequences into one’s life,” said Sheriff Provenzano. “Drunk drivers face jail time; loss of their driver’s license; lost time from work; potential job loss; steep financial consequences, such as higher insurance rates, attorney fees, and court costs; and personal humiliation from family, friends and coworkers.

“But most important, a few drinks can result in a fatal accident and the emotional impact of causing a fatal accident cannot be measured,” he said.

Sheriff Provenzano and the NHTSA want drivers to know that they have many alternatives to driving while intoxicated, which include calling a cab, asking a friend or family member for a ride, giving their keys to a designated driver or simply staying put until they are sober.

For more information, visit the “Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over” webpage at nhtsa.gov/drivesober or contact Sergeant Tom Carlucci, grant coordinator, at 908-231-7140, ext. 9.