State officials are asking motorists to put down their phones while driving as a part of a new cell phone enforcement pilot program.
An average of 9,770 citations a month are issued to drivers violating New Jersey's cell phone law, which prohibits texting and talking on hand-held phones while driving, said Pam Fischer, Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety.
"We are making progress in our efforts to ensure that all motorists are aware of the consequences they face if they choose to talk on a cell phone or text while driving," Fischer said. "... Any cell phone conversation while driving, whether handheld or hands-free, is distracting and dangerous, and can result in crashes, injuries, and in some cases the loss of life."
According to the National Safety Council, each year at least 1.4 million crashes nationwide are caused by drivers talking on their cell phones, while a minimum of 200,000 crashes are caused by drivers texting behind the wheel.
New Jersey's primary cell phone law went into effect on March 1, 2008. Motorists violating the law face a $100 fine plus court costs and fees.
Since 2008, there have been 3,610 crashes in New Jersey involving a motorist using a hand-held cell phone, resulting in 1,548 injuries and 13 deaths. During the same time period, 3,129 crashes involving the use of a hands-free device resulted in 1,495 injuries and six fatalities.
"These numbers are staggering, but perhaps even more disturbing is the number of crashes involving cell phone use and texting that go unreported," Fischer said. "We know that many drivers involved in a crash don't admit to these behaviors, which means that the actual number of cell phone-related crashes in New Jersey is much greater."
Cell phone use and texting is not only a critical traffic safety issue for drivers, but also for pedestrians.
"Several months ago, I literally pulled a pedestrian talking on a cell phone out of the path of an oncoming vehicle," Fischer said. "The woman was talking on her cell phone, and didn't check for traffic before stepping into the crosswalk. Regardless of your mode of transportation, you must be 100 percent engaged in what you're doing or you're putting yourself and everyone else on the road at risk."
Motor Vehicle Commission Acting Chief Administrator Raymond P. Martinez said when behind the wheel, drivers' only concern should be the safe operation of their vehicle and the road ahead.
"New Jersey's strict law has allowed us to make tremendous strides in getting drivers to put their cell phones down and focus on the task at hand," Martinez said. "However, phones are just one of the many distractions that put drivers at risk.
A Fairleigh Dickinson University poll conducted last year found that the number of New Jersey drivers who said they sent text messages while driving increased by 40 percent between 2008 and 2009.
In addition, 57 percent of those drivers under the age of 30 said that they have texted while driving, up six percent from 2008. More than one in four drivers ages 30 to 44 said they have sent a text message, up eight percent from the previous year. In addition, twelve percent of motorists between the ages of 45 and 60 said they have also texted while driving.
To further inform motorists about the state's cell phone/texting law, the Department of Transportation expects to have new signage in place on major roadways, including those that serve as major entry points into New Jersey, before the summer travel season. The signs will alert motorists that it's illegal to talk on a hand-held cell phone in New Jersey. A reminder to buckle up, every ride, will also be included on the signage.
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