April is National Distracted Driving Month, and the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) Public Safety Department will join law enforcement professionals from across the State of New Jersey in the “UDrive. UText. UPay.” awareness campaign.

 

The campaign targets drivers who are distracted from the task of driving, such as talking on hand-held cell phones and responding to text messages. Phone use while driving is,  by far,  the most alarming distraction because it requires the driver's visual, manual, and cognitive attention.

DRPA police will ramp up enforcement of New Jersey's primary cell phone law. Penalties associated with these infractions start at $200 for first offenses to $800, three points and possible suspension for third offenses.

 

Variable message signs (VMS) on the approaches to all four DRPA bridges - the Ben Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry, and Betsy Ross - will display the “UDrive. UText. UPay.” slogan to remind motorists.

 

"We support all efforts to keep motorists safe on our bridges. Although easy access to technology is welcome in many circumstances, it is not permitted or legal while driving," said DRPA Chief of Police John Stief.