South Brunswick Police To Participate In Crackdown On Distracted Drivers

South Brunswick police will participate in a national campaign to stop distracted driving.

The department is one of 38 in the state that has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the state Division of Highway Traffic Safety to participate in the campaign, called “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.”

The crackdown on distracted drivers started Wednesday and will run through April 21, according to a news release from the state.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the nationwide campaign was developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA.)

“The dangers of driver inattention are staggering, placing drivers, passengers and pedestrians alike in harm’s way,” acting Attorney General John Hoffman said in a prepared statement. “Distracted driving is an incredibly significant issue on our roads and one that requires a total commitment from law enforcement to eliminate. To continue to make our roads safer, we must be as aggressive with distracted drivers as we have been with drunk drivers and people who refused to wear seat belts.”

The news release said a recent analysis of crash videos of teen drivers found significant evidence that distracted driving is likely much more widespread than previously known, according to the AAA Foundation.

That organization found distraction was a factor in almost 6 out of 10 moderate-to-severe teen crashes, the news release said.

In New Jersey, motorists who drive while using a handheld electronic device face fines of $200 to $400 for a first offense. For subsequent offenses, fines could increase to $800 and three insurance points.

“Driving and texting is illegal and irresponsible. People who break our distracted driving laws will be stopped and fined,” state Division of Highway Traffic Safety acting Director Gary Poedubicky said in a prepared statement. “For those who say that driving and texting is an epidemic, we believe enforcement of our state texting law is part of the cure.”