PEMBERTON, NJ – The Pemberton Borough Police Department will participate in New Jersey’s UDrive. UText. UPay. enforcement campaign throughout April, joining law enforcement officers statewide in cracking down on distracted drivers. The high-visibility initiative will target dangerous driving behaviors, such as talking on hand-held cell phones and texting while driving, from April 1-30, 2023.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,142 fatalities and an estimated 400,000 injuries were reported in 2019 due to distracted driving, making driver inattention a leading cause of crashes in New Jersey. Distracted driving includes activities that divert attention from driving, such as texting, talking on the phone, eating, drinking, and adjusting the stereo or navigation system.
New Jersey is one of eight states to receive dedicated federal funds this year to address driver distraction. These funds will be used for police overtime enforcement grants at the local level and for a statewide multimedia public awareness campaign on this critical issue.