The awareness campaign will include messages from the National Safety Council's "Just Drive" campaign and the NJ Division of Highway Traffic Safety's "U Drive. U Text. U Pay." campaign.
Distracted driving is a dangerous epidemic on New Jersey’s roadways, being cited as a major contributing factor in over 817,000 motor vehicle crashes in the state from 2010 to 2014. Nationwide 3,179 people were killed in distracted driving crashes in 2014 alone.
To combat these troubling statistics, law enforcement agencies throughout New Jersey, including here in Denville, will be using a combination of traditional and innovative strategies to crack down on motorists who text and drive.
Historically, the most effective tool used to change driver behavior are targeted law enforcement campaigns, like Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and Click It or Ticket. Since their inception, these two initiatives have resulted in significant reductions in impaired driving and gains in seat belt usage, respectively.
Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety. These types of distractions include: texting, using a cell phone or smartphone, eating and drinking, talking to passengers, grooming, reading (including maps), using a navigation system, watching a video, and adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player. But, because text messaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most alarming distraction.
During the month of April, and every month thereafter, please Just Drive! If you are caught texting while driving, you will be issued a summons and you will have to pay a fine. Please don't become a statistic and help keep our roadways safe!
