Schools
Matawan Police Watching for Distracted Drivers
As children begin school again Sept. 9, the Matawan Police Department will be focusing on curbing distracted driving in the borough.
Need to send a text, put on mascara or eat breakfast? Make sure not to do it behind the wheel.
The Matawan Borough Police Department will have additional officers on duty the week of Sept. 9 for a Distracted Driver Campaign as children go back to school, according to Chief Jason Gallo.
Officers will be watching specifically for drivers who are distracted behind the wheel. Distracted driving includes using a mobile device, reading, grooming, eating, drinking or adjusting a radio, MP3 player, CD or GPS.
According to Gallo, 80 percent of crashes are caused by distracted drivers and 21 percent of young drivers in fatal crashes were using cell phones.
The goal of the enforcement is to ensure the safety of children walking to school or to their bus stop, as well as the safety of drivers and passengers, Gallo said.
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