ICYMI: Distracted Driving Crackdown in Essex County Takes Effect: April 1 to 21

By ERIC.KIEFER (Patch Staff)

The Essex County Sherriff’s Office announced that from April 1 to 21, police will be conducting “distracted driver enforcement operations” throughout all of Essex County’s 22 municipalities.

Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated in a release that the crackdown initiative, which is funded by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, is being undertaken to prevent further deaths and injuries to drivers, passengers and pedestrians.

“The number of persons killed or maimed as the direct result of distracted driving is truly staggering,” Fontoura stated. “Inattentive driving persists despite educational, awareness and enforcement efforts by public safety personnel. We are hopeful that this initiative will serve as a wake-up call to all drivers.”

According to the Essex County Sherriff’s Office, 3,328 people were killed and more than 421,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver in 2012.

“In New Jersey, we’re making inroads,” Fontoura noted. “In 2013, there were 48 fewer deaths that the 590 killed in 2012. We peaked in 2011 with 627 deaths.”

Fontoura added that the most frequent causes of distracted driving incidents are driver inattentiveness, pedestrian violations, unsafe speed, failure to yield the right of way and failure to obey traffic signals.

“Unfortunately, many drivers continue to text and drive and use their cell phones while their vehicle is in motion,” the sheriff pointed out in a release.

“If you’re in this business long enough you’ll see it all. We see people eating their breakfast, reading their newspaper, applying make-up and watching videos while driving. It’s insane and unsafe.”