The Harrison Township Police Department has attempted to reduce distracted driving in town with random patrols this month.
The goal, according to Police Chief Police Ronald Cundey, was to inform the public that cellphone use or other non-driving tasks behind the wheel are not only unacceptable, but dangerous.
“Traffic data shows that in New Jersey, 49% of drivers involved in crashes were engaged in distracted behavior,” Cundey explained. “Additionally, over 26% of fatal crashes involve driver inattention. Distracted driving is consistently identified as a leading contributing factor in crashes statewide.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also found that 3,204 lives were lost in the U.S. as a result of distracted driving in 2024. Harrison police were awarded a $7,000 grant from the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office to fund the random patrols.
The department also posted on social media warnings about the consequences of distracted driving, including photos and videos with a message about putting the phone away to protect those inside and outside a car.
“Your most important cargo may be riding in a car seat behind you while you travel this Easter weekend,” warned a post near the upcoming holiday. “Kids are masters of observational learning and will often develop the same good, and bad, habits of their parents.
“Keep your kids safe now and in the future by putting the phone down and focusing on your driving, even if it means you have to listen to the same preschool soundtrack on repeat for the thousandth time to keep them (kids) quiet. Set a good example and keep your eyes on the road.”
Another post from police warned about the dangers of marijuana use.
“You need to be at least 21 years old to buy, possess and consume,” the department explained, “and you can possess up to six ounces at one time. Obviously, you can’t drink and drive. Most people know you also can’t drink as a passenger in a motor vehicle, either. But did you know that the same rules apply to cannabis?”
” … We ask that you use common sense on the road and drive sober. Drive high and you can still get a DWI.”
The department also wants to reduce the number of traffic tickets issued for cell phone use in a vehicle to zero. The exact results of the police campaign have yet to be revealed.
“In addition to enforcing the laws and holding violators accountable,” Cundey explained, “we want to change behaviors to prevent tragedies.”
