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Beginning April 1, officers will target motorists who talk or text on hand-held cellphones while driving as part of a three-week crackdown aimed at reducing crashes.
“Distracted driving is possibly the most serious safety issue on our roadways today,” said Gary Poedubicky, Acting Director of the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety.
"The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2015 alone, 3,477 people were killed in distracted driving crashes and an estimated 391,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver,” he said.
In New Jersey, driver inattention was listed as a contributing circumstance in 52% of the state’s crashes in 2015.
With driver inattention listed as a contributing factor in New Jersey crashes at a rate nine times higher than speed, local police are amping up for another “UDrive. UText. UPay.” campaign.
Beginning April 1, officers will target motorists who talk or text on hand-held cellphones while driving as part of a three week crackdown.
“Distracted driving is possibly the most serious safety issue on our roadways today,” said Gary Poedubicky, Acting Director of the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety.
"The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2015 alone, 3,477 people were killed in distracted driving crashes and an estimated 391,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver,” he said.
Traffic fatalities in New Jersey rose from 562 in 2015 to 604 in 2016 -- an average of 12 deaths a week, authorities said.
Distracted driving plays an enormous role, they said. Teens were the largest age group reported as distracted at the time of fatal crashes.
For that reason, citizens in New Jersey are able to report distracted drivers as part fo the state’s #77 alert system.
SEE: New NJ Program: Report Distracted, Impaired Drivers By Phone
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