A police officer in Dunellen, New Jersey, employed an unusual tactic to combat distracted driving: disguising himself as a shrub. The officer, clad in a foliage-covered costume, spent six hours observing traffic on a heavily traveled road.
During the operation, the officer issued 74 citations to drivers caught using handheld electronic devices while behind the wheel. The Dunellen Police Department stated the effort aimed to enforce the state's hands-free cellphone law and promote road safety.
"Our 'shrub' was busy. We issued 74 citations to drivers distracted by their devices in a six-hour window," the department said in a statement posted on social media. The operation utilized binoculars for the disguised officer to surveil drivers without being readily noticed.
The New Jersey law prohibits drivers from operating a handheld cellphone or other electronic device. A first offense can result in fines ranging from $200 to $400.
Officials used the operation to remind the public about the dangers of distracted driving, emphasizing that notifications can wait and drivers should keep their attention on the road.
