Police Target Dangerous Drivers

East Brunswick has had enough.

After several accidents that have caused serious injuries and tied traffic up for miles, the East Brunswick Department of Public Safety has announced that it is implementing a zero tolerance initiative in the enforcement of motor vehicle violations that are hazardous and present an increased likelihood of motor vehicle accidents. 

“The accidents have been, for some, devastating and we need to be proactive in how to deal with it,” said Deputy Police Chief William Krause Jr. during Monday’s Township Council meeting. “We want to make sure that the word is out, that for bad driving behavior, if you get stopped, there’s a good chance that you’re getting tickets for the actions you’re taking.”

The initiative is in response to a string of serious accidents over the past two months that have resulted in serious injuries and one fatality. In a recent incident, a school bus driver was arrested and charged with DWI when she was found to be under the influence after crashing the bus she was operating on Church Lane. No students were on the bus at the time. 

 "The investigations clearly indicate that in the vast majority of accidents that result in serious personal injury, drivers' actions can be pointed to as the primary causes for the accidents,” said Deputy Chief Krause. “The East Brunswick Department of Public Safety takes very seriously its responsibility to do everything within our power to keep motorists safe on the roadways in the township. The only way we can affect the way motorists drive and promote safe driving behaviors is through police presence on the roads and by stating very clearly that if you are caught engaging in dangerous driving behaviors, you will receive summonses for those violations.  Our only motivation is the promotion of safe driving habits.  In another recent incident a driver on Route 18 was seriously injured when his vehicle had rolled over after an accident just past the East Brunswick Square Mall.

“Especially as we enter the holiday season, we want people to understand the message that they need to slow down, drive carefully and arrive at their destinations safely,” he continued.

To address the significant increase in traffic due to holiday shoppers, this initiative will be in effect throughout the holiday season.