New Jersey boosts distracted driving enforcement statewide

AG: New Jersey News

Filed April 1st, 2026

Detected April 2nd, 2026

Summary

New Jersey Attorney General and Division of Highway Traffic Safety announced the 2026 'Put the Phone Away or Pay' distracted driving enforcement campaign running April 1-30, 2026. The state awarded $918,680 in grants to 127 law enforcement agencies including the NJ State Police to increase patrols targeting handheld cellphone use and texting while driving. In 2024, distracted driving contributed to 42% of NJ crashes, resulting in 175 fatalities.

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What changed

The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General and Division of Highway Traffic Safety launched the annual 'Put the Phone Away or Pay' campaign for April 2026, National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The Division awarded $706,860 to 126 municipal and county agencies, plus $211,820 to the NJ State Police, totaling $918,680 for increased enforcement patrols on state roadways including the Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and interstates. The campaign targets handheld cellphone use, texting, and other distracted driving behaviors.

Motorists should expect heightened enforcement throughout April and should put away all electronic devices while driving. Violations of New Jersey's handheld cellphone ban carry fines of $200-$400 for first offense, $400-$600 for second offense, and up to $800 for subsequent violations, plus 3 insurance points and mandatory court appearance. Drivers should be aware that enforcement is increased and should take precautions to avoid citations during this period.

What to do next

Put away all handheld electronic devices while driving
Eliminate all distracting behaviors (eating, adjusting controls) while operating a vehicle
Anticipate increased patrols and enforcement during April 2026

Penalties

Fines of $200-$400 for first offense, $400-$600 for second offense, up to $800 for subsequent violations, plus 3 insurance points and mandatory court appearance per violation

Source document (simplified)

AG Davenport, Division of Highway Traffic Safety Announce Increased Enforcement to Combat Distracted Driving

For Immediate Release: April 1, 2026

Office of The Attorney General
– Jennifer Davenport, Attorney General
Division of Highway Traffic Safety – Michael J. Rizol Jr., Director

For Further Information:

Media Inquiries-
Matthew Reilly
OAGpress@njoag.gov

TRENTON — Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Highway Traffic Safety (HTS) announced today the launch of increased enforcement efforts around the state targeting distracted drivers.

The “Put the Phone Away or Pay” campaign runs from April 1 to April 30 during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month to raise awareness that cellphone use or any other non-driving task while driving is dangerous and unacceptable.

“Drivers should focus on the road and getting to their destination safely,” said Attorney General Davenport. “It is dangerous to do other tasks while driving, especially using a cellphone. This campaign aims not just to enforce the laws and hold violators accountable, but also to change behaviors to prevent tragedies.”

In 2024, 42 percent of crashes in New Jersey involved a distracted driver, resulting in 175 fatalities and 1,500 serious injuries.

“When you’re driving, nothing is more important than your safety and the safety of others,” said Michael J. Rizol, Jr., Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety. “Behaviors like texting take your mind, eyes, and hands away from the task of driving. Cellphone use while driving is especially dangerous. Other distractions eating, drinking, adjusting vehicle controls, and tending to passengers also can lead to a crash.”

HTS is providing $706,860 to 126 municipal and county law enforcement agencies for the 2026 “Put the Phone Away or Pay” enforcement campaign. Throughout April, motorists can expect to see increased patrols and awareness messaging targeting distracted driving with a focus on dangerous handheld cellphone use, like texting, phone calls, and scrolling. An additional $211,820 was awarded to the New Jersey State Police for enforcement along the state’s major roadways including the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway, and interstates.

New Jersey law prohibits using a handheld cellphone or device while operating a motor vehicle. Violating this law can result in fines of $200 to $400 for a first offense, $400 to $600 for a second offense, and up to $800 for subsequent violations, along with the addition of three insurance points. All violations also require a mandatory court appearance.

Last year, New Jersey’s distracted driving enforcement campaign resulted in 6,872 citations for cellphone use or texting and 4,337 for careless driving in April 2025.

The full list of agencies receiving grant funds from HTS can be found here: https://www.njoag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/DDC-2026-Final-Grantee-List-plus-NJSP.pdf

For more information on traffic safety efforts undertaken by the Division of Highway Traffic Safety, visit njsaferoads.com.