According to the National Safety Council, at least 9 people die and 100 are injured every day in crashes due to distracted driving. Cell phones, car touchscreens, GPS, voice commands and many vehicle technologies distract drivers and threaten safety on the roadways. These distractions can lead to consequences that are not worth the benefits they offer. In an effort to raise awareness and recognize the dangers of distracted driving, April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The goal is eliminate preventable accidents and deaths caused by distracted driving and to make the roads safer for everyone. This is the motivation behind the #justdrive campaign.
New Jersey has joined the campaign against distracted driving and will be cracking down during the month of April. Police all throughout NJ will be ticketing all drivers texting behind the wheel and other distracted driving as part of the enforcement campaign in April.
New Jersey officials have cautioned drivers police will target drivers talking on handheld cell phones and texting. NJ is one of only four states to receive federal grant monies aimed at stopping distracting driving.
New Jersey Highway Traffic Safety officials have stated that driver inattention was a contributing cause in more than half of all accidents in NJ in 2016. Even more staggering, from 2011 to 2015, talking on cell phones and texting while driving caused more than 804,000 motor vehicle accidents in NJ.
New Jersey has posted billboards and signs with the warning “UDrive. UText. UPay.” Court appearance is mandatory for all cell phone and distracted driving tickets. The fines and penalties for distracted driving and using a cell phone while driving have gone up in NJ. The fines for a first offense now range from $200 to $400; the fines for a second offense now range from $400 to $600; and a third or subsequent offense can lead to a fine from $600 – $800, 3 motor vehicle points, and a 90-day driver’s license suspension.
Contact My Office Immediately
If you are facing a cell phone ticket or involved in an accident with a distracted driver in New Jersey, you need to consult with an experienced lawyer. I am board certified as a certified criminal trial attorney by the New Jersey Supreme Court. I have handled countless cell phone tickets and distracted driving accidents throughout my career in New Jersey. Please contact me now by email, by phoning 908.264.7701, or by completing the form to the right to schedule your complimentary 30-minute strategy session.
