1,200 Crashes Per Year: Distracted Driving Crackdown In Livingston

LIVINGSTON, NJ — An estimated 35 million vehicles travel through Livingston every year. There are more than 1,200 crashes. And this is one reason why a “distracted driving” enforcement campaign will continue in Livingston through the end of April, authorities say.

Law enforcement officers from the Livingston Police Department will be cracking down on distracted drivers as part of New Jersey’s “Put the Phone Away or Pay” campaign. Beginning April 1 and running through the end of the month, the high-visibility law enforcement initiative will target motorists who are engaging in dangerous behaviors, such as talking on hand-held cell phones and sending text messages while driving.

Driver inattention has remained the most frequently cited cause of fatal and incapacitating crashes in New Jersey, contributing to nearly 50 percent of all crashes statewide. It’s a trend that is also being seen on the local level, Livington police said.

“During the last five years (2020-2024), there were a total of 6,041 crashes reported to the Livingston Police Department,” chief Gary Marshuetz said.

“This equates to an average of 1,208 crashes per year,” Marshuetz added.

“New Jersey is one of eight states nationwide to receive federal funds to participate in this crackdown and this benefits our community at a local level because it provides resources to dedicate our focus on the importance of putting the phone down and committing oneself to the primary task of safe driving,” Marshuetz said.

According to the LPD, there are lots of ways a driver can become distracted:

“The most common example is using a cell phone while driving. This includes holding the phone, texting, or using any of a phone’s apps. However, it could also include several other things. For example, it could be adjusting the heating or cooling system, or looking down at the coffee that dripped onto your seat. Moreover, it can include looking at a navigation system or switching the radio station. In some cases, it can be having a conversation with the passenger in your car.”

Some simple safety tips from the LPD include:

• 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. Ask your passenger to be your “designated texter.” Allow them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages.
• Do not engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving.
• Cell phone use is habit-forming. Struggling to not text and drive? Activate your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature, or put your phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of your vehicle until you arrive at your destination.

“Enforcement of the distracted driving laws keep our roads safe,” Marshuetz said. “Our officers dedicate themselves to be highly visible in their efforts to conduct these suppression patrols. The ultimate goal of this campaign is to reduce our crashes, which in turn will reduce injuries and save lives in the township.”

For more information, contact the LPD Traffic Bureau at 973-992-3000, ext. #3800.

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