For Immediate Release;

Contact:         Christina Butterfield
                        News and Media Relations
                        Galloway, N.J. 08205
                        Christina.Butterfield@stockton.edu
                        (609) 626-3845
                       stockton.edu/media

 Galloway, NJ – New Jersey State Campus Police law enforcement officers from Stockton University Police Department of Galloway Township will crack down on distracted drivers during the month of April as part of the statewide “UDrive, UText, UPay!” enforcement campaign.

The high visibility enforcement initiative, running from April 1 – 21, 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 reports that in 2014 alone, 3,179 people were killed in distracted driving crashes and an estimated 431,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver.”

Despite the fact that using a hand-held cell phone or texting while driving is illegal in New Jersey, the practice appears to be widespread.

In a recent survey conducted by the Fairleigh Dickinson University PublicMindPoll for the Division of Highway Traffic Safety, 67 percent of respondents said they “very often” see drivers texting.

The campaign will be carried out during the month of April, which the National Safety Council has designated as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The New Jersey campaign is modeled after a similar successful high visibility enforcement programs such as “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”

For more information about the Stockton University Police Department, visit Stockton.edu/Police. 

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