Hard Shoulder Violations Top South Brunswick Traffic Detail, Data Shows

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — South Brunswick police stopped 32 vehicles and issued 24 summonses — a 75 percent citation rate — during a four-hour Route 1 enforcement detail Monday, part of the department's ongoing Operation Safe Summer initiative.

The detail targeted four categories of violations that generate the most complaints to the department: improper use of the hard shoulder, speeding, careless driving and cell phone use.

Breakdown of the 24 summonses:

• Improper hard shoulder use: 8 (33 percent)

• Careless driving: 7 (29 percent)

• Speeding: 4 (17 percent)

• Other motor vehicle violations: 5 (21 percent)

Hard shoulder violations accounted for the largest single category — a result the department flagged specifically. "These efforts are ongoing every week," said Acting Chief James Ryan. "We are highlighting today's efforts because they focused on one of the largest complaints we receive — the improper use of the hard shoulder. We will continue enhanced enforcement in the weeks and months ahead."

The release doesn't specify how many of the 32 stops resulted in warnings versus how many drivers were stopped but not cited at all — 8 stops (25 percent) didn't result in a summons, though the release doesn't break down whether those ended in a warning or no action.

Operation Safe Summer is a recurring initiative; South Brunswick police say the targeted, high-visibility detail model will continue "throughout the summer and beyond" as part of a broader effort to reduce crashes and improve roadway safety.

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