Police Launch Campaign Today to Warn Drivers Using Cell Phones

The Ocean City Police Department launches an awareness campaign today (April 1) to warn motorists of the danger of using cell phones while driving.

Officers will be looking for drivers talking on the phone or texting. The campaign is designed to be educational, and to avoid a traffic summons, drivers will be able to watch a 10-minute video and take a test on its contents, according to Ocean City Police Sgt. Brian Hopely.

The campaign starts today and will last through the summer.

In a presentation to City Council on Thursday, Hopely said some studies show the average person between ages 18 and 23 sends 100 texts per day, and many ignore laws that prohibit texting while driving.

The Somers Point and Ocean City departments have partnered to kick off the new warning campaign being coordinated by the South Jersey Traffic Safety Alliance (SJTSA).

“We are very excited about this campaign because it's an opportunity for us to stop motorists and educate our residents and visitors without giving them an actual violation,” Hopely said in a written news release.

The program is modeled after one conducted by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office in April 2012. During that initiative, the local police departments issued more than 3,000 warnings with less than 1 percent failing to fulfill the warning requirements.

Once issued a warning, a motorist has 15 days to go online and watch AT&T’s 10 minute video “The Last Text.”

After watching they must answer questions and input information from their warning. During the same time period, participating police departments will forward a copy of issued warnings to the SJTSA whose staff will compare and notify the department of motorists not complying. The police department then has the opportunity to issue a violation.

Teresa Thomas, SJTSA Program Manager said, “As soon as I heard about the program I knew I wanted to do it in South Jersey.  What I didn’t’ expect was the overwhelming interest from the shore towns to implement the program all summer.” 

Anyone interested in watching the video, may go to www.hangup-justdrive.com.

Participating departments by county are: Atlantic County: Brigantine, Atlantic City, Margate, Longport, Somers Point, Northfield, Egg Harbor Township, Mullica Township, Egg Harbor City, Hammonton and the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office.

Cape May County: Ocean City, Stone Harbor, Avalon, Wildwood Crest, Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, Delaware River and Bay Authority and Cape May County Sheriff’s Office.  Cumberland County: Vineland, Millville and Bridgeton.  Salem County: Carneys Point, Pennsville, Elmer, Salem City and the Salem County Sheriff’s Office.   

— News Release from the Ocean City Police Department