Distracted Driving Awareness Week

OCEAN CITY – The City of Ocean City has designated through proclamation Sun., April 15 through Sat., April 21 as Distracted Driving Awareness Week for the City of Ocean City. The entire month of April is National Distracted Driving month.
Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety. These types of distractions include:
• Texting
• Using a cell phone or smartphone
• Eating and drinking
• Talking to passengers
• Grooming
• Reading, including maps
• Using a navigation system
• Watching a video
• Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player
The Ocean City Police Department is addressing this ongoing and deadly issue in two ways,
1. Conducting a zero tolerance traffic safety awareness campaign involving this dangerous driving behavior during the week and;
2. Co-sponsoring with Joel Feldman a Distracted Driving Assembly for all Juniors and Seniors at the Ocean City High School on Tuesday April 17th, Mr. Feldman is the father of Casey Feldman who tragically lost her life in Ocean City as a pedestrian in a 2009 car crash involving a Distracted Driver. This campaign is designed to increase traffic safety awareness through directed enforcement efforts related to Careless Driving, Unlawful Cell Phone Use and Texting While Driving, Failure to Wear Seatbelt, DUI, GDL Laws with Too Many Passengers in Vehicle, and other related offenses.
Beginning the week of April 15th’ the department will begin this effort by selecting an area of focus for each particular day. By designating a particular issue each day, it is our hope that the Citizens and Guests of Ocean City will become more aware of the dangers of Distracted Driving and choose to participate by compliance, making the streets of Ocean City and New Jersey safer.