The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, in conjunction with the Ocean County Association of Chiefs of Police, announced today a simple yet effective way to drive home the message to drivers of automobileswho text while driving endanger other persons using the roads as well as expose themselves to serious criminal consequences.
Noting that New Jersey has just adopted new laws to get tough on texting while driving, Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford said: “Prosecutors have now been given great authority to charge a person with assault by auto or vehicular homicide, if it is proven that they were texting while driving. The first purpose of law enforcement however should be to deter criminal conduct and to educate the public. My office has entered into an agreement to purchase cell phone apps that will disable the talking and texting mechanisms of most phones, if the phone is in a vehicle travelling more than 20 miles per hour. This is an easily installed app for a cell phone, which could mean the difference between life and death for the driver, for other drivers and pedestrians, and will prevent many instances of distracted driving.”
Beach Haven Chief of Police, Kevin Kohler, who currently serves as President of the Ocean County Chiefs of Police Association, said:” Every parent’s nightmare is that a young driver will drive while intoxicated, exposing himself and others to injury or death. Yet driving while distracted is almost as lethal a practice. This device temporarily disables the texting and calling mechanism of the cell phone, if the phone is travelling (in a car) at more than 15 miles per hour. If the car is stopped, everything is normal. Simple, yet an effective way to send a message that texting and driving, like drinking and driving, don’t mix.”
Prosecutor Ford continued: “While this safe driving initiative is targeting youthful drivers, it is something that we all should consider installing on our phones, especially in light of the new laws enhancing the penalties for texting while driving. If a parent gives a kid a cell phone, that parent should make sure this app or a similar one is installed on that cell phone. You can preach to kids about safe driving practices, and maybe they will listen. But this app is a one hundred percent cure for distracted driving.”
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office is underwriting the cost of a number of these apps and making them available to the public at no charge. The cost of these apps (about $5.00) is not paid for at public expense, but rather through the use of drug forfeiture monies. A limited number of apps will be available at no cost to the public, as a pilot project in Ocean County. Interested people should contact the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor at 732-929-2027 or their local Chief of Police for more information. TLS.
This requires an Android SmartPhone with accelerometer. Many in Lakewood have abandoned their SmartPhones for regular phones that still offer SMS text capabilities so this won’t work. The app must have a way to turn on GPS for the SmartPhone’s accelerometer to kick in. If GPS is off this won’t work. People just have to realize they are creating a dangerous situation and the fines should be astronomical, like $1000 first offense with 4 points, $2500 second with 6 month license suspension, 4 points, restricted registration privileges, renewal fees every thirty days for a year and a mandatory minimum 30 days of incarceration. No cell phone of any type for 90 days. No deals, no pleas. Talk, No walk. Text, your next. On a side note this will stop the use of GPS travel apps which could exacerbate the problems when people have to stop and pull over anywhere to get directions and/or maintain a speed of less than 20 miles an houtr to keep the GPS app alive. There is no automated solution to prevent crime. Strong deterrents work wonders.
hmmm, what was that? i was’nt paying attention.
I like TLS”s pun ‘ to drive home the message’ followed by ‘to drivers’.
I’m still amazed as to how can some1 possibly text while driving?? I avoid answering the phone while driving in order to focus on the road.You are literally taking your life, as well as others, into your hands. It is completely irresponsible and foolish. How did people survive before the use of cell phones? Is it really worth the risk? Prioritize people!
As a Raintree resident (20+ years), is it too much to ask that drivers obey the speed limit in our development. There are a lot of children playing close to the streets. And on another note, the sidewalks are made for WALKING, not the middle of the streets when cars are trying to get by. Have some respect for everyone, not just yourselves. Thank you!