Alert
Monday Crash Highlights Dangers of Distracted Driving
A distracted driver drove his Tesla under a tractor-trailer Monday morning on Route 1. The impact was so severe it shredded the roof off the passenger’s side of the vehicle. “This crash could easily have been fatal, and easily have been prevented if the driver was paying attention,” said Chief Raymond Hayducka. The crash was reported at 8:21 am at Route 1 and Executive Drive. Officer Brian Kim investigated the crash and determined that the 44-year-old driver from Baltimore was distracted at the time of the crash. According to Officer Kim’s investigation, the 2020 Tesla was headed northbound on Route 1 in the right lane. The driver told Officer Kim he had his cruise control on when he momentarily lost focus on the roadway. The Tesla drifted onto the shoulder of the roadway where it struck a 2005 Freightliner tractor-trailer. The tractor truck was broken down on the shoulder of the road at the time of the crash.
The driver of the Tesla received minor injuries but refused medical treatment. The Tesla was destroyed in the crash.
Beginning April 1 and running through the end of the month, the high visibility law enforcement initiative will target motorists who engage in dangerous distracted driving behaviors such as talking on hand-held cell phones and sending text messages while driving.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2018 alone, 2,841 people were killed in distracted driving crashes on our nation’s roads and an estimated 400,000 people were injured. In New Jersey, driver inattention was listed as a contributing circumstance in 50 percent of the state’s crashes in 2018. Driver inattention was in fact listed as a contributing factor in crashes at a rate seven times higher than that of the next highest contributing factor (speed).
Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system — anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving. Texting is the most alarming distraction. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for five seconds. At 55 mph, that's like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.
Chief Hayducka said, “Today we were lucky we didn’t have a fatal crash, but starting April 1st a new crackdown will focus on this danger. Drivers have a responsibility to pay attention as they drive. Last year five motorists lost their lives on roadways in the Township. This crackdown hopes to raise awareness of the danger of distracted driving.”
Monday Crash Highlights Dangers of Distracted Driving 
Statewide Distracted Driving Enforcement and Awareness Campaign: UDrive. UText. UPay.
Monday Crash Highlights Distracted Driving Danger
A distracted driver drove his Tesla under a tractor-trailer Monday morning on Route 1. The impact was so severe it shredded the roof off the passenger’s side of the vehicle. “This crash could easily have been fatal, and easily have been prevented if the driver was paying attention,” said Chief Raymond Hayducka. The crash was reported at 8:21 am at Route 1 and Executive Drive. Officer Brian Kim investigated the crash and determined that the 44-year-old driver from Baltimore was distracted at the time of the crash. According to Officer Kim’s investigation, the 2020 Tesla was headed northbound on Route 1 in the right lane. The driver told Officer Kim he had his cruise control on when he momentarily lost focus on the roadway. The Tesla drifted onto the shoulder of the roadway where it struck a 2005 Freightliner tractor-trailer. The tractor truck was broken down on the shoulder of the road at the time of the crash.
The driver of the Tesla received minor injuries but refused medical treatment. The Tesla was destroyed in the crash.
Beginning April 1 and running through the end of the month, the high visibility law enforcement initiative will target motorists who engage in dangerous distracted driving behaviors such as talking on hand-held cell phones and sending text messages while driving.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2018 alone, 2,841 people were killed in distracted driving crashes on our nation’s roads and an estimated 400,000 people were injured. In New Jersey, driver inattention was listed as a contributing circumstance in 50 percent of the state’s crashes in 2018. Driver inattention was in fact listed as a contributing factor in crashes at a rate seven times higher than that of the next highest contributing factor (speed).
Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system — anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving. Texting is the most alarming distraction. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for five seconds. At 55 mph, that's like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.
Chief Hayducka said, “Today we were lucky we didn’t have a fatal crash, but starting April 1st a new crackdown will focus on this danger. Drivers have a responsibility to pay attention as they drive. Last year five motorists lost their lives on roadways in the Township. This crackdown hopes to raise awareness of the danger of distracted driving.”
Instructions:
Pay Attention While Driving
Address/Location
South Brunswick Twp Police Department
540 Ridge Rd
South Brunswick Township, NJ 08852
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 732-329-4646
Alert Details
- Severity:
- Moderate - Possible threat to life or property
- Urgency:
- Future - Responsive action SHOULD be taken in the near future
- Certainty:
- Observed - Determined to have occurred or to be ongoing
- Category:
- Other events
- Event:
- Routine Monthly Test