Full Notification

http://www.nj.gov/oag/hts/dd_crackdown_overview.html


Distracted driving is a dangerous epidemic on New Jersey’s
roadways. Driver inattention has been a major contributing
factor in nearly 750,000 motor vehicle crashes in the state
since 2009 and nationwide, 3,328 were killed in distracted
driving crashes in 2012 alone.

To combat these troubling statistics, law enforcement agencies
throughout New Jersey will be using a combination of
traditional and innovative strategies to crack down on motorists
who text and drive. This effort is a part of the national U Drive.
U Text. U Pay high-visibility enforcement (HVE) campaign that
combines periods of intense anti-texting enforcement coupled
with advertising and media outreach to let people know about
the enforcement and convince them to obey the law. U Drive.
U Text. U Pay enforcement strategies include roving police
patrols, spotters on highway overpasses, and stationary police
vehicles prominently placed at strategic locations.

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

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.

Distracted Driving Overview

Distracted driving kills. The friends, family, and neighbors of the thousands of people killed nationwide each year in distracted driving crashes will tell you it is a very serious safety problem. The nearly half a million people injured each year will agree. Distracted driving is a dangerous epidemic on New Jersey’s roadways. Driver inattention has been a major contributing factor in nearly 750,000 motor vehicle crashes in the state since 2009 and nationwide, 3,328 were killed in distracted driving crashes in 2012 alone.

Distracted Driving Key Facts and Statistics

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


It is a primary offense for a motorist to talk or text message with a hand-held wireless telephone or electronic communication device while driving.

Use of a hand-held wireless telephone or electronic
communication device includes, but is not limited to:


Talking or listening to another person.

Text messaging or sending an electronic message.

The penalties associated with these infractions have
been adjusted in New Jersey to the following:

Second, third and subsequent offense penalties will
be applicable only to convictions that occur within the
current ten-year period.

The operator of a motor vehicle may use a hand-held wireless telephone while driving with one hand on the steering wheel only if:

The operator has reason to fear for his/her life or safety, or believes that a criminal act may be perpetrated against him/herself or another person.

The operator is using this device to report to appropriate authorities: a fire; traffic crash; serious road hazard; medical or hazardous material emergency; or another motorist who is driving in a reckless, careless or otherwise unsafe manner or who appears to be driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Eating and drinking

Talking to passengers

Grooming

Reading, including maps

Using a navigation system

Watching a video

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.