State Police this weekend arrested four people on DWI charges at checkpoints in North and South Jersey.

The details were successful, because high arrest numbers were not the goal, said Capt. Stephen Jones. Preventing crashes caused by drunk drivers was the reason State Police conducted the sobriety checkpoints on the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike. "This is not about getting high numbers,'' said Jones. "This is about creating awareness, and we did that through the media in advance of the detail, and also during these contacts. Getting the word out about the dangers of DWI is a primary concern."

Jones said troopers are not stopping vehicles that are moving at highway speeds - they are making initial contact near toll booths or entrance or exit ramps. On Saturday evening, State Police set up a checkpoint near the Belmar tolls in Wall, he said. They stopped 417 vehicles, and provided the occupants with pamphlets explaining the effects of driving while intoxicated.

Troopers performed a dozen field sobriety tests, and arrested two people on DWI charges, said Jones. Police also arrested one person for possession of marijuana and another person on an outstanding warrant. In Hudson County, State Troopers on Sunday set up a checkpoint along the Hudson Bay Extension of the New Jersey Turnpike in Jersey City, said Jones. Two drivers were arrested on DWI charges, and one was charged with criminal eluding, police said.

"In total, this is four people accused of DWI, and that may be four fatal accidents we prevented,'' he said.