Labor Day warning: Parsippany police on high alert

The heat is relenting as summer begins to cool and New Jersey residents prepare for another fall. This means that Labor Day is right around the corner — one last hoorah for the summer before we prepare for the cooler temperatures. Labor Day traditionally pulls in large amounts of traffic. It is also a holiday in which many New Jersey residents enjoy an adult beverage while they say good bye to summer.

While there is nothing wrong with responsible drinking, provided the resident is of age, those that are traveling for the holiday should heed warning that the Parsippany Police Department intends on participating in a state-funded crack down on drunk driving.

The $5,000 campaign, called Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over, will place officers on high alert for those that could be under the influence. This reportedly includes roving patrols and sobriety checkpoints.

However, simply because there will be a sobriety checkpoint does not mean that the stop can be unlawful. Officers need to provide an articulable and reasonable suspicion for pulling a motorist over. Stops need to be lawful, constitutional and correctly implemented. If an individual in Parsippany is pulled over and charged, and the evidence suggests that the stop was not warranted, that individual can fight any resulting charges.

The Parsippany Police Department recommends designating a sober driver for Labor Day festivities, making arrangements for sleeping elsewhere or taking a cab home. Additionally, we recommend remaining cognizant of your rights under the law.

Source: NJ.com, “Parsippany police to keep eye out for drunk drivers,” Brendan Kuty, Aug. 15, 2012