By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Aiming to discourage motorists from talking or texting on their cell phones while they are driving, the West Windsor, Plainsboro, Montgomery and Lawrence police departments are taking part in the statewide “U Drive. U Text. U Pay” campaign during April., Police officers will be cracking down on motorists who display “distracted driving” behaviors this month, according to spokesmen from the four police departments. The campaign runs through April 21., 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., “Distracted driving is a serious issue on our roadways,” said Gary Poedubicky, acting director of the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety., The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2014, there were 3,179 people killed in distracted driving accidents and an estimated 431,000 people were injured in motor vehicle accidents that involved a distracted driver, Poedubicky said., Although using a hand-held cell phone or texting while driving is illegal in New Jersey, the practice appears to be widespread., In a recent study conducted by the FDU Public Mind poll for the Division of Highway Traffic Safety, 67 percent of respondents said they very often see people driving and talking on a hand-held cell phone. More than 40 percent of respondents said they very often see drivers texting., The “U Drive. U Text. U Pay” campaign is being carried out in April because the National Safety Council has designated it as District Driving Awareness Month. The campaign is modeled after similar successful high visibility enforcement programs such as “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”
