Manchester, Lakehurst Police Crack Down On Texting While Driving

MANCHESTER, NJ — If you're driving, put the phone down and pay attention. If you don't and you get caught, you will get a ticket.

That's the message from New Jersey State Police and local police departments, including Manchester Township and Lakehurst, as the "UDrive. UText. UPay." enforcement campaign kicks off.

Both Manchester and Lakehurst police have received a $5,500 grant to increase patrols to target enforcement of distracted driving laws, including things such as talking on handheld cell phones and texting while driving.

The campaign runs April 1 through April 21.

"Distracted driving is possibly the most serious safety issue on our roadways today," said Eric Heitmann, acting director of the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety.

In 2018, 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, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports.

In New Jersey, driver inattention was listed as a contributing circumstance in 52 percent of the state's crashes in 2018. Driver inattention was listed as a contributing factor in crashes at a rate nine times higher than that of the next highest contributing factor, which was speeding.

The campaign will be carried out during the month of April, which the National Safety Council has designated as Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

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