OCEAN COUNTY – The County’s recent Safety Enforcement Initiative along Route 70 has led to 317 vehicle stops and 212 summonses, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato.
The initiative began on July 20 and was intended to raise awareness for responsible driving along Route 70 throughout Ocean County and into Monmouth County, according to the Prosecutor’s office. The program was enforced from Wall Township in Monmouth County through Brick, Lakewood, Toms River, Manchester and Lakehurst.
Numerous accidents along Route 70 in the past spurred the crackdown on safe driving behaviors. In 2016, Route 70 saw 549 crashes, which accounted for about 10 percent of the County’s total fatal crashed. This percentage rose to 19 percent in 2017.
The County sought to enforce and eliminate those violations that contributed to these numbers with this initiative, stated the prosecutor’s office. These factors include activities like driving under the influence, aggressive driving, improper turning and passing, failing to yield or to keep right, inattentive driving, disregard of traffic signal, speeding, following too close, pedestrian violations and commercial carrier violations, among many others.
Between July 20 and August 7, 2018, the program saw 317 vehicles stopped, 212 summonses issued, two DUI arrests, two wanted subjects arrested, and one arrest for drug possession. No fatalities or serious injuries occurred during the enforcement program period, according to the prosecutor’s office.
“The participating departments were happy to observe that the majority of motorists were choosing to drive responsibly,” stated a press release from the County.
Supporters of the program include:
- Brick Police Department
- Brielle Police Department
- Lakehurst Police Department
- Lakewood Police Department
- Manchester Police Department
- Toms River Police Department
- Wall Township Police Department
- Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office
- NJ State Police Troop “C” – Tactical Patrol Unit
- NJ State Police – D.U.I. Enforcement Patrol
- Ocean County Road Department, and
- Ocean County Engineering Department.
While the enforcement program has ended, local law enforcement agencies plan to prioritize traffic enforcement along Route 70.
