61 Drivers Ticketed for Cell Phone Use One Morning in Chatham

A special enforcement detail aimed at motorists who use hand-held cell phones while driving resulted in 61 summonses for the offense one recent morning in Chatham Borough.

From 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 21, Chatham police conducted the special enforcement detail on Main Street at Coleman Avenue, according to a police news release.

The detail was designed to target drivers using hand-held cell phones, and raise awareness of the dangers of using such devices while driving, authorities said.

Eight officers took part in the detail with two officers acting as spotters.

A variable message sign was placed at the west end of Main Street several days before the detail. The sign warned the use of hand-held wireless telephones while driving is illegal, and violations will be strictly enforced, police said.

A total of 72 summonses were issued, with 61 of the summonses issued for "Use of Hand-Held Wireless Telephones," police said. During the detail, 4,800 vehicles passed the intersection.