Woodbridge Police Warn Motorists: 'No Texting While Driving'

Put the cell phone away if you're driving through Fords.

That's where electronic mobile signs were blinking a message recently: "Enjoy the Ride...Don't Text and Drive."

Woodbridge Police have been putting the signs up throughout the township to warn drivers to put the cell phone away when they're behind the wheel.

"It's a reminder that motorists shouldn't be texting and driving," said Captain Roy Hoppock.

The signs were recently sighted on New Brunswick Avenue, but they've been spotted around the township.

Just last month, the New Jersey Assembly passed a bill that would at least double the fines for texting and driving, from $100 for a first offense to between $200 and $400, according to the bill. Fines are even stiffer if you've been caught more than once:second and subsequent offenses: $400 to $600 fines for a second offense, and $600 to $800 for third or subsequent offenses.

Anyone convicted of a third offense may lose their license for 90 days and earn three points on their license.

The bill, if signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie, will also apply to anyone talking on a hand-held cell phone.

Under the legislation, 50 percent of the fine is to be split between the county and municipality where the violation occurred, while the other 50 percent is to be retained by the state for anti-texting driver education.

Targeting texting drivers has become a national goal. The Ad Council, which has a web page devoted to educating motorists, particularly younger ones more apt to text behind the wheel, said that a texting driver is 23 times more likely to get into a crash than a non-texting driver.