South Jersey Police Step Up DWI Patrols as Labor Day Crackdown Begins

Police departments across South Jersey are stepping up patrols aimed at impaired drivers as the busy final weeks of the summer season get underway.

Law enforcement agencies in Atlantic and Cape May counties are joining the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, an annual enforcement effort surrounding the Labor Day holiday.

The campaign begins Wednesday, Aug. 19, and runs through Labor Day weekend into early September, with participating departments increasing patrols and other enforcement efforts aimed at identifying drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs.

In Cape May County, Middle Township Police announced its participation in the 2026 campaign and said the department received a $7,000 grant from the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety to support additional enforcement.

The department said its officers remain focused on impaired driving throughout the year, but the statewide campaign provides additional resources during one of the busiest periods on Jersey Shore roads.

The Atlantic County Sheriff's Office has also announced it is joining other law enforcement agencies in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” effort.

More Cape May County Departments Joining Effort

The crackdown is expected to be visible throughout Cape May County.

State grant information publicized with the 2026 campaign shows Lower Township, Middle Township and North Wildwood each receiving $7,000 for impaired-driving enforcement.

Wildwood Crest has also announced its participation in this summer's campaign.

The increased enforcement comes at a particularly busy time for Shore communities, with large numbers of summer visitors still on the roads and the Labor Day weekend approaching.

Police are urging anyone who plans to drink to arrange transportation before going out, including using a designated driver, taxi or rideshare service.

Drivers should also never get behind the wheel after using a substance — including cannabis or certain medications — that could impair their ability to safely operate a vehicle.

Campaign Targets More Than Alcohol

Although the campaign has traditionally focused heavily on drunken driving, law enforcement officials emphasize that impaired driving can involve substances other than alcohol.

The message is straightforward: If you're impaired, don't drive.

Drivers who encounter someone they believe may be operating a vehicle while impaired are encouraged to keep their distance and contact police rather than attempting to intervene themselves.

The Labor Day campaign is one of several high-visibility enforcement efforts conducted throughout New Jersey each year, including the year-end “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” crackdown and campaigns targeting seat-belt use and distracted driving.

Previous New Jersey campaigns have resulted not only in impaired-driving arrests but thousands of citations for speeding, seat-belt violations, cellphone use and other motor vehicle offenses.

Shore Roads Remain Busy Through Labor Day

The timing of the summer crackdown is especially significant in Atlantic and Cape May counties, where traffic volumes remain high through the end of August.

Popular Shore communities can see substantial increases in motorists during summer weekends, while bars, restaurants, casinos, concerts and other entertainment attractions draw additional nighttime traffic.

Police say the goal of the campaign isn't simply making arrests, but preventing impaired drivers from getting on the road in the first place.

For motorists, that means making a transportation plan before drinking begins.

The national campaign's message leaves little ambiguity about what drivers can expect over the coming weeks:

Drive sober — or get pulled over.