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Lower Township Police Make June Cellphone Enforcement, Awareness Month

Crime | Sun, 06/06/2010 - 9:47 am | Updated 1 year 50 weeks ago | Read 2667 | Commented 23 | Emailed 2
Tags: cell phone law

By Press Release

LOWER TOWNSHIP - The Lower Township Police Department has announced that officers will be paying particular attention to motorists operating motor vehicles while talking or texting on their cell phones during the month of June.

Lower Township Police Chief, Edward Donohue noted that along with complaints of speeders on certain streets, that the township routinely receives, the police department has also been receiving complaints of increased use of cell phones by motorists.

The Police Department chose the month of June to bring attention to cell phone use by motorist, due to the fact that our schools will soon be out for the summer and the roads will be filled with more pedestrians, bicyclist and moped riders, along with the increased volume of traffic that occurs during our summer season.

Donohue said, “Our intent is not to deluge our residents and visitors with summonses, but rather to draw public attention to the fact that operating a motor vehicle while talking or texting on the cell phone in New Jersey is a violation of our motor vehicle laws and is also extremely dangerous.”

“We want to send a clear message that if you are operating a motor vehicle in Lower Township while talking or texting on a cell phone, you will have a good chance of being stopped for that violation.”

Donohue would agree that more motorists are utilizing cell phones while operating motor vehicles.
“From my own personal experience while out jogging on our roadways, sometimes every 4th or 5th vehicle that passes me will have a driver talking on their cell phones.”

The Chief noted that police officers while on duty are exempt from the cell phone statute, though officers are encouraged to pull off to the side of the road if they anticipate having a lengthy conversation with police dispatch, on their cell phone.

The Cell Phone Statute; 39:4-97.3 states, the use of a wireless telephone or electronic communication device by an operator of a moving motor vehicle on a public road or highway, shall be unlawful except when the telephone is a hands free wireless telephone.

The operator of a motor vehicle may use a hand held wireless telephone while driving with one hand on the steering wheel only if:

1. The Operator has reason to fear for his life or safety or believes that a criminal act may be perpetrated against himself or another person or;

2. The operator is using the telephone to report to the appropriate authorities, a fire, a traffic accident, a serious road hazard or a medical emergency or to report the operator of another motor vehicle who is driving in a reckless, careless or otherwise unsafe manner or who appears to be driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Use of a wireless telephone or electronic communication device shall include, but not be limited to:

Talking or listening to another person on the telephone.

Text messaging or sending an electronic message via the wireless telephone.

Print | Email Updated 1 year 50 weeks ago

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Comments (23)

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Sat, 06/12/2010 - 1:46pm - Posted by: Keen1234

uhmm excuse me i said i go by the law and goverment so why would u even say i was unsupervised.and iam not a sir iam a mother of 4 kids.and u do not know if iam bright or not so dont go judging me. with out knowng, as far as my spelling my keys stick on my key board cause my 4 kids also uses it and spills drinks on it.so why dont u just get a life.i was putting my opion out there not judging anyone.me and myfamily respect the law even if we dont always agree with it

Fri, 06/11/2010 - 3:02pm - Posted by: fu_q

With people like Keen1234 running around unsupervised, it's no wonder the government has to step in and enact laws that protect people from themselves. You are not vey bright, sir.

Fri, 06/11/2010 - 2:33pm - Posted by: Keen1234

well i sorta agree i do beleive in the seat belt and cell phone laws.it ourselves were harming with seat belts but they gotta to clean up after our bodies are thrown from a car.and if its not inforced then i guess its ok kids dont have to be in care seats or hooked in either and there inccent and cant make there oun desicions. so i believe buckle up its the law.and cells phones are just so dangerous why ur driving

Wed, 06/09/2010 - 7:53am - Posted by: Vader

Keen1234 - I didn't at all take offense to it. If it appeared that I did then I appologize. I simply gave you an explenation and an option IF it upset you that much, to do something about it that's all. I appreciate your thoughts on the issue. Thanks

Shortii - I agree to some point. I think the seatbelt and helmet laws are bogus. You're not doing any harm to anyone else if you don't wear a seatbelt or helmet. Same with the crosswalk, although I don't think any town around here enforces that law.However, although some people are very talented at it, many can't keep focused when talking or texting on their cell phone while driving. Especially texting! Not all people but most. I know people who can text and not even look at the phone. These two should be laws. It is fact that talking and texting while driving have caused many crashes. You're right though, government gets carried away at times creating bogus laws to generate $$$$$$$. Who gets all the backlash for being the messenger.........yep, the Police.

Jack Urselfoff - Who said anything about a search warrant!? Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Wed, 06/09/2010 - 7:23am - Posted by: shortii

When did we give up every right that we have. Why do we need the government to tell us what’s right and what’s wrong. Can’t talk and drive, can’t text and drive, must where a helmet on a bike, cross only in a cross walk, must wear a seatbelt. Why do we need them to tell us what to do, when did we give up the right to think for ourselves. I hate our government it sucks and it is worthless. I want my freedom back.

Tue, 06/08/2010 - 9:09pm - Posted by: Keen1234

wow i didnt say i was upset. i completly agree u should not talk and drive and even thow u took offense from it i didnt mean any harm and thanks for clearing that up cause alot of ppls dont know that.and i have heard ppls also commet it on the issue.and no i wouldnt ever do that now i know why it is being done.

Tue, 06/08/2010 - 11:17am - Posted by: Vader

Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah!!! I'll be seeing ya soon my friend! We'll see who has the last laugh! Funny thing is, you won't even know it! LMFAO!!!!

Tue, 06/08/2010 - 11:10am - Posted by: fu_q

Well played. Yes, I was looking for a reaction and you gave it to me. I set out my trap and you took the bait like the idiot that you are. You have made a wise choice by giving up, now I will move on to another victim. Good day, sir.

Tue, 06/08/2010 - 11:06am - Posted by: Vader

Take care Nate. I gave you a reaction, which is no doubt what you wanted with your childish statements and now I'm done with you. Good luck in life and I hope you succeed in whatever you do. Honestly.

Tue, 06/08/2010 - 11:01am - Posted by: fu_q

Great job, vader. You searched my user name and googled me. Do they teach you that in the police academy? Look out, Lambert, there's a new detective in town.

Tue, 06/08/2010 - 10:56am - Posted by: fu_q

If I only knew what little buddy?

Tue, 06/08/2010 - 10:57am - Posted by: Vader

Fu_q - LMFAO!!!! I'm fine buddy! I'm actually in great shape and never needed an inhaler. You know they offer some anger classes for racists like you who hate society. You need help little man. Hope you get it soon before it's too late. Take care Nate Forrest. Is that your real name!? If that's fake, that's pretty good! See you can do something good! You are creative.....yayyyyy!

Tue, 06/08/2010 - 9:40am - Posted by: fu_q

Take it easy vader. I'm not attacking you personally, although judging by your grammer I certainly could. The last thing I want to see is you having a heart attack. I'm sure you're probably a typical overweight, lazy cop who does nothing but sit around all day and eat for free at the local restaurants. I'm not a "cop-hater", I hate all lazy people...ie cops, puerto ricans, blacks, etc. In other words, I'm not here to start a feud so just grab your asthma inhaler, take a deep breath, and take it easy. If you still can't calm down you could always harass some kids skateboarding in the Acme plaza to make you feel like a big man. Enjoy.

Tue, 06/08/2010 - 9:23am - Posted by: Vader

Fu_g or Nate (if that's your real name) - Why is that wrong!? You people scream, " Why can Officer's do this, why can Officer's do that"!? Well I offer an honest remedy for you (the public) and I still get bashed! Once again being a Cop is a lose lose situation with many in the public! Can't do ANYTHING right in their eyes. I guess you're one of them or you may actually be a Cop who believes no matter what you do, you're above the law! At any rate, you're the i-d-i-o-t! I have my reasons for the complaint. Don't you wish you knew?

Tue, 06/08/2010 - 8:32am - Posted by: fu_q

Vader...good advice sending them to the PD to sign a "special" complaint. Half the cops in Lower Township are retarded so that's pretty fitting.

Tue, 06/08/2010 - 7:04am - Posted by: Joe

It's past the time for public education. It's time to start the enforcement!

Mon, 06/07/2010 - 10:58pm - Posted by: Vader

Keen1234 - A good majority of the time when you see an Officer on the phone, he/she is more then likely speaking to another Officer or their dispatcher in reference to a call or a case. As long as it's police related, I believe we are exempt. Just as you are exempt if you are making an emergency phone call to Police, Fire, Rescue, etc. Talking on our cell phone is no different then driving down the road with one hand on the wheel and the other holding the CB radio and talking. We prefer our cell phones due to a large majority of people owning scanners and knowing the police frequencies. Now I'm not saying that everytime an Officer is on the phone it's police related. We all speak to our families throughout the day. If you're really that upset about it, the next time you see an Officer on the phone, take down the car # and call the PD to sign a Special Complaint against the Officer.

Mon, 06/07/2010 - 9:37pm - Posted by: Keen1234

does this also go for law enforcement also cause i see alot of them driving while on the cell phones

Mon, 06/07/2010 - 4:58pm - Posted by: TommyR

Looks like Vader certainly got under Donkey Boys skin. Jealous Cop haters like Donkey Boy are so easy. LMAO!

Mon, 06/07/2010 - 9:42am - Posted by: Vader

Not me Donkey Boy! Plenty of time off to play on the internet! In fact, I just scheduled my 4th vacation of the year! I love this job! As far as the savages in the Villas, their parents should've done a better job as well as yours. Like I said, thanks for your tax dollars ya Donkey Jack@$$! I'll think of you when I'm on the islands sipping margaritas!

Sun, 06/06/2010 - 8:11am - Posted by: Vader

Lol not to worry Jack@$$ or ahhh Puncher of Donkeys! I will continue to look for stupid dumb@sse$ like you and your friends illegally smoking weed in public parks. You'll probably be stupid enough to smoke while driving down the street on your cell phone. Oh yeah, I make PLENTY of money a year driving around hanging out at Wawa! Thank you for your tax dollars Schmuck!

Fri, 06/04/2010 - 5:36pm - Posted by: TommyR

Good idea. There seems to be more violaters of the cell phone law in So. Jersey.

Fri, 06/04/2010 - 3:17pm - Posted by: Puncher_Of_Donkeys

Cell phone enforcement, great job LTPD. Now dumb@$$ vader has something to do besides check for kids smoking weed at the ferry. Wonder how much Vader makes a year to drive around and hang out at the Wawa. Your tax dollars at work!




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