Through April 21, Evesham Police are increasing efforts to target drivers who exhibit distracting behaviors while behind the wheel.
Those driving through Evesham Township in the next few weeks had better be sure to have both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road if they want to avoid stern conversations and fines from police.
The warning comes as the Evesham Township Police Department kicked off its participation in New Jersey’s ongoing “UDrive, UText, UPay” enforcement campaign.
The National Safety Council has designated April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and through April 21, Evesham Police are increasing efforts to target drivers who police see exhibit distracting behaviors while behind the wheel, such as talking with a cell phone in their hands or texting.
The campaign is meant to mimic similar well-known enforcement campaigns such as “Click It or Ticket” or “Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over.”
According to Chief of Police Christopher Chew, those who drive while distracted are responsible for the lion’s share of the crashes in town.
From the beginning of January 2016 through the end of last month, Chew said the department investigated 2,205 major motor vehicle accidents, at least 865 that were as a result of distracted driving.
“That’s 40 percent, and they’re the ones that we know of,” Chew said. “That’s where someone admitted they were on the phone, or we observed them or they were texting. I’m sure that number skyrockets if we had the ability to witness the crash.”
In addition to those local statistics, Chew cited studies from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which reports that in 2014 alone 3,179 people were killed and an estimated 431,000 people were injured across the country from motor vehicle crashes related to distracted driving.
“This is not only an epidemic that Evesham faces, but this is across the country,” Chew said. “That’s why we’re here today, to really support the mission of what the state is doing in having this campaign.”
In addition to joining the state’s campaign, Chew said Mayor Randy Brown was also supporting the use of overtime hours for officers to help address the problem of distracted drivers.
“He hears the same thing that we’re seeing in that distracted driving is a major, major problem,” Chew said.
In his short address to officers during the department’s morning roll call, Chew stressed it was the department’s responsibility to do everything in its power to protect the innocent by ensuring motorists are focused on the road and following state law while driving.
“We’re going to do everything we can as an agency to address these behaviors, and we’re going to do everything we can to protect our community,” Chew said.
