Gloucester Township Police to Participate in Distracted Driving Enforcement Grant
The Gloucester Township Police Department will be cracking down on distracted drivers during April as part of New Jersey's "UDrive. UText. UPay." enforcement campaign.
Beginning April 1, 2023 and running through the end of the month, the high visibility law enforcement initiative will target motorists who engage in dangerous, high risk, distracted driving behaviors such as talking on hand-held cell phones and sending text messages while driving. GTPD Officers will be conducting saturated enforcement patrols on roadways identified as having higher instances of crashes attributed to driver inattention with the goal to curb these dangerous behaviors and reduce crashes.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports from 2011-2020 that 32,000 people were killed in distracted driving-related crashes on our nation's roadways. Driver inattention has remained the most frequently cited cause of fatal and incapacitating crashes in NJ, contributing to 50 percent of NJ crashes from 2016-2020.
Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, applying makeup, diverting attention to the stereo / entertainment system or social media – anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving. Drivers are urged to put their phones away when behind the wheel and focus on the roadway around them. For a safer driving experience, follow these steps:
- If you are expecting a text message or need to send one, pull over and park your car in a safe location. Once you are safely off the road and parked, it is safe to text. Alternately, you can ask your passenger to be your "designated texter" to respond to calls or messages received.
- Do not engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving. It will still be there when you are safely parked.
- Cell phone use is habit-forming. Try activating your phone's "Do not disturb" feature, or put your phone in the trunk, glove box or back seat of your vehicle so it is inaccessible when driving until you arrive at your destination.
- Talk with your loved ones about the dangers of distracted driving and have them make a commitment to avoid these high risk behaviors and promote a safer roadway for everyone.
