Extra Patrols On 2 Ocean County Roads Aim To Curtail Crashes: Sheriff

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — With more motorists on the roads and an increasing number of motor vehicle crashes in recent weeks, law enforcement is increasing its patrols in 11 Ocean County towns to crack down on dangerous driving behaviors.

Extra patrols are in place along Route 528, which runs from Jackson through Lakewood and Brick to Mantoloking, and Route 539, from Plumsted through Manchester, Lacey, Barnegat, Stafford and Little Egg Harbor to Tuckerton, Ocean County officials said.

"We work to support our local police departments in their ongoing efforts to protect the public," Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy said. "As warm weather approaches, the volume of traffic on our roads increases as do accidents. We want to stop those drivers that shouldn’t be behind the wheel because they are impaired, distracted or any number of reasons that create a hazard on our roadways."

Grant funding from the state Division of Highway Traffic Safety is paying for extra patrols by sheriff's officers along with police from Barnegat, Brick, Jackson, Lacey, Lakewood, Little Egg Harbor, Manchester, Mantoloking, Plumsted, Stafford and Tuckerton.

Officers are looking for any signs of impaired or erratic driving, officials said.

"Safety on our roadways has always been a concern and we want our motorists and pedestrians to know that our sheriff’s officers and their local police are making a concerted effort to make sure our motorists safely get to their destinations," said Gary Quinn, director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners and the liaison to the sheriff's department.

The extra patrols will continue until the end of September, officials said.