Traffic Safety Unit
If you don’t want to see these in your rear view mirror
Then Please Drive Appropriately
Special Information regarding Motorized Scooters
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On July 19, 2005,
Acting Governor Codey signed S-1510 into law as P.L.2005,
The new law makes
it unlawful to operate motorized scooters upon A person violating the motorized scooter prohibition is subject to the following penalties: " For the first offense, a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $200, and the seizure of the motorized scooter. " For the second offense, a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $500; the seizure of the motorized scooter; and community service for a period of not greater than 25 hours. " For the third or subsequent offense, a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $750; the seizure and forfeiture of the motorized scooter; and community service for a period of not greater than 50 hours. |
Hand-Held cell phone use & text messaging: A Primary Offense
Effective March 1, 2008, N.J.S. 39:4-97.3 motorists may be stopped and ticketed solely for illegally
using a hand-held wireless telephone or electronic communication device.
The amended law also expands the previous statute to prohibit the use while driving of an electronic communication device, unless it is used hands-free, and also prohibits text messaging or sending an electronic message via wireless telephone or electronic communication device. Under the amended version of the law, illegally sending a text message while driving also would constitute a primary offense.
N.J.S. 39:4-97.3. Use of wireless telephone, electronic communication device in moving vehicle: definitions; enforcement.
(a) 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 handsfree wireless telephone or the electronic communication device is used hands-free, provided that its placement does not interfere with the operation of federally required safety equipment and the operator exercises a high degree of caution in the operation of the motor vehicle. For purposes of this section, an “electronic communication device” shall not include an amateur radio.
b. 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 appropriate authorities a fire, a traffic accident, a serious road hazard or medical or hazardous materials 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. A hand-held wireless telephone user’s telephone records or the testimony or written statements from appropriate authorities receiving such calls shall be deemed sufficient evidence of the existence of all lawful calls made under this paragraph.
As used in this act, “hands-free wireless telephone” means a mobile telephone that has an internal feature or function, or that is equipped with an attachment or addition, whether or not permanently part of such mobile telephone, by which a user engages in a conversation without the use of either hand; provided, however, this definition shall not preclude the use of either hand to activate, deactivate or initiate a function of the telephone.
“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 or electronic communication device.
A person who violates this section shall be fined $100.00
No motor vehicle points or automobile insurance eligibility points pursuant to section 26 of P.L.
1990, c.8 (C.17:33B-14) shall be assessed for this offense.
Click here for more information www.njsaferoads.com
Traffic Safety Unit
The Traffic Safety
Unit is responsible for the enforcement of State Motor Vehicle Laws and
Local Ordinances, investigation of Motor Vehicle Accidents throughout
Manalapan Township including Serious & Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents.
The Traffic Safety Unit offers a variety of services to Township
residents:
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Conduct site plan surveys for new developments;
• Maintain radar units;
• Maintain records for all traffic summonses and motor vehicle
accidents;
• Implement new signage for various locations through a comprehensive
roadway maintenance program;
• Enforce or investigate Title 39 violations (motor vehicle law),
traffic accidents and citizen complaints;
• Those additional day-to-day assignments necessary to support other
department units.
The Police Department currently has three officers certified as Child Passenger Safety Technicians. (see Child safety seat section) The department has two speed trailers that are set up on roads in town to monitor speeds. The trailers are placed at specific locations for a one week period. Radar enforcement is then set up to re enforce the posted speed limit. If you feel that you have a speeding problem on your street you can contact the Traffic Safety Unit at 732-446-8383. All requests for the speed trailer will be reviewed and a determination will be made if the speed trailer should be set up in a particular location. Anonymous requests are not permissible. A majority of the speeding complaints that are received in the traffic unit are on residential streets.
History Administration
CHILD SAFETY SEATS
On average, in the United States, seven (7) children die each day in motor vehicle crashes. An additional seventy-five (75) children per day are seriously injured and hospitalized with another seven hundred (700) receiving injuries that do not require hospitalization. Over sixty percent (60%) of all fatally injured children are either incorrectly or not restrained at all in a proper infant / child seat. Every year two or three children lose their lives on Monmouth County roads alone. These numbers are unacceptable and the following statistics tell the story:
- Eight (8) out of ten (10) child safety seats are installed incorrectly.
- Approximately 2000 children die each year in motor vehicle crashes and the overwhelming majority are not restrained or are improperly restrained in a infant / child seat.
- Your infant is 72% more likely to survive a crash when properly restrained in an infant seat.
- Your toddler is 54% more likely to survive a crash when properly restrained in a child seat.
- Your child is 36% more likely to survive a crash when using a belt
positioning booster seat correctly.
- Booster seats are required for a child up until they turn 8 years old or reach 80 lbs. Just remember 8 or 80 when it come to booster seats.
The Manalapan Township Police Department has established a Child Passenger Safety Program for the community that we serve. This program is designed to educate parents and family members, increase awareness regarding the importance of properly restraining children in motor vehicles, and to provide them with the skills necessary to do so. By reading and referring to both your vehicle manual as well as the installation manual that was provided with your child car seat at the time of purchase, you can easily accomplish proper child safety seat installation. Additional information can be acquired by visiting the specific car seat manufacturer's website.
Child Car Seat Inspection Guidelines
The purpose of the Manalapan Township Police Department child car seat safety program is to educate and assist the motoring public on the proper use of child car seats. Officers who have completed specialized training on the installation of these seats will conduct scheduled inspections and participate in roadside check points whenever possible.
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Appointments must be made for child car seat inspections. You can schedule an appointment by calling the Traffic Division at (732) 446-8383
2. All appointments will be scheduled by officers within the Traffic Division and cannot be scheduled with our dispatchers.
3. The Traffic Division reserves the right to cancel a scheduled inspection if the need arises due to an emergent circumstance and or inclement weather. If this occurs, notification of this cancellation will be attempted and the appointment rescheduled.
4. Child car seat inspections will first be made available to residents within Manalapan Township. Residency proof is required at the time of inspection.
5. Prior to the child car seat inspection, the parent(s) or scheduling party must have attempted to install the seat according to manufacturer recommendations / guidelines. A scheduling party who shows up with a new car seat that is still in the box, or a car seat that is placed in the rear of the vehicle, unsecured, does not constitute an attempted installation. The traffic division does not install car seats; we inspect and make installation recommendations. The parents must then physically correct their errors. This practice reinforces the learning process and allows for proper reinstallation in the future should the child seat need to be removed from the vehicle for some reason.
6. If a child car seat is found to be unfit for use or recalled by the manufacturer, the family may utilize our inspection services again for the newly purchased child car seat.
7. In the event that an indigent family is found to be in need of a child car seat, or requests our inspection services and the child car seat is found to be unfit for use, the Manalapan Township Police Department will provide that family with a car seat, as long as one is available, that was purchased through the acceptance of a state grant