It's that time again. With holiday office parties and family get-togethers, December often brings many opportunities for people to drink and have a good time. Many people don't think twice about having one or two drinks and then driving home. But this week, New Jersey police departments began their annual initiative to target drunk drivers.

The "Over the Limit, Under Arrest" program happens all over the country this time of year. In New Jersey, each of the state's 115 police departments received $5,000 grants to pay officers to conduct sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols, and arrest drivers for DWI between December 6 and January 2.

During the heightened DWI enforcement, people who may not consider themselves to be drunk could find themselves facing arrest for DWI. New Jersey police officers have suggested that even if a person has only had one drink, he or she should not drive home. They pointed out the options of mass transit or getting a ride home with a friend.

Not only are police officers on the lookout for even the most mildly intoxicated drivers, they have asked for help from others on the road. This year, other drivers can dial a phone number to report what they believe to be drunk or aggressive driving.

The "Over the Limit, Under Arrest," initiative will likely lead to many drunk driving arrests this month. Despite the rhetoric this time of year, not everyone arrested for drunk driving was really driving while intoxicated. People who are pulled over and arrested for DWI should know their rights.

Source: Shore News Today, "Year-end drunk driving crackdown under way," Staff Reports, 8 Dec 2010