SOMERVILLE – In an effort to make our roads safer, the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office has joined the “U Drive, U Text, U Pay” campaign to stop distracted driving.  Sheriff Frank J. Provenzano has pledged his office’s support to help spread the message that distracted drivers are not only a danger to themselves, but to everyone else on the road. 

“We all know that talking on our cell phones while driving is distracting, but that doesn’t stop most people from continuing to do it,” said Sheriff Provenzano. “This effort is intended to educate our community about the dangers of cell-phone use and other distractions while driving.  We hope that once people see the statistics and realize the danger involved, they will change their driving habits to help protect themselves, their families and others on the road.” 

In 2012, a total of 3,328 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver and an estimated additional 421,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver. That same year, 11 percent of fatal accidents were reported as distraction-affected crashes.

While anything that takes your eyes off the road, hands off the wheel or mind off the task of driving is a hazard, there is heightened concern about the risks of texting while driving because it combines all three types of distraction – visual, manual and cognitive.

“We are looking at ways to change the behavior of drivers through legislation, enforcement, public awareness and education – the same activities that have curbed drunk driving and increased seat-belt use,” said Sheriff Provenzano. 

Through April 21, there will be high-visibility law enforcement patrols targeting motorists who engage in dangerous distracted-driving behaviors such as talking on hand-held cell phones and sending text messages while driving.  Distracted driving is any activity that diverts a person's attention away from the primary task of driving

The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office’s goal with this campaign is simple – to save lives by getting drivers to remember that “U Drive, U Text, U Pay.”

For more information, contact Sheriff’s Officer Thomas Carlucci at 908-231-7140.