New Jersey is launching a crackdown on cell phone use while driving throughout the entire month of April. The initiative, announced by the New Jersey State Attorney, focuses on addressing distracted driving, particularly the use of cell phones behind the wheel. From April 1st to 30th, local police will conduct intensive enforcement efforts on major highways, such as the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway, as well as on local roads in areas with large Korean populations, including Palisades Park, Fort Lee, Leonia, Cliffside Park, Edgewater, Closter, and Teaneck.
To support this crackdown, the State Attorney’s office has allocated over $1.2 million to fund the efforts of 158 town police departments across the state, including the State Police. The goal is to reduce the number of distracted driving incidents caused by cell phone use. In New Jersey, fines for using a cell phone while driving are steep: $200-$400 for the first offense, $400-$600 for the second, and $600-$800 for subsequent offenses. Drivers will also receive three penalty points on their license, and those caught repeatedly using a cell phone while driving may face a suspension of up to 90 days.
Last year, through intensive crackdowns, a total of 9,055 violations of cell phone use while driving was caught and fined. According to state police, distracted driving was a significant factor in nearly half of the traffic accidents that occurred in New Jersey in 2023, resulting in 160 deaths and more than 1,400 injuries. This new crackdown is part of a broader effort to improve road safety and reduce the number of accidents caused by distractions while driving.