The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office announced that it will join local law enforcement agencies in a statewide, high-visibility traffic enforcement initiative aimed at reducing roadway fatalities across New Jersey.

Ocean County Prosecutor Brad Billhimer said the county will once again participate in the “Goal: Zero” campaign, a coordinated effort focused on addressing the rise in traffic-related deaths. As of February 19, 57 people have died on New Jersey roadways this year, including seven fatalities in Ocean County.

The enforcement detail for Ocean County is scheduled for Monday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and will involve increased patrols and targeted monitoring of high-risk driving behaviors.

“Goal: Zero is not a slogan — it is a commitment,” Billhimer said in a statement. “Every fatal crash is preventable, and law enforcement will use every tool at its disposal to hold careless and reckless drivers accountable. Our mission is simple: zero deaths on Ocean County roadways.”

This month’s initiative is dedicated to the 10-year remembrance of Tim O’Donnell and his five-year-old daughter, Bridget, who were killed in a crash on February 22, 2016, by an impaired driver on the New Jersey Turnpike. Following their deaths, Tim’s wife, Pam, established the Catch You Later Foundation to promote roadway safety and discourage dangerous driving.

Officials said the enforcement effort will focus on speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving, and other violations that contribute to serious crashes. Officers from multiple agencies will participate in coordinated patrols throughout the county.

The Goal: Zero campaign was launched in 2024 by Matt Menosky, a patrolman in Holmdel Township, who helped bring together 36 municipalities to target unsafe driving practices. The campaign’s bright green logo is intended to symbolize visibility and pedestrian and school safety, while a black bar represents mourning for lives lost in traffic crashes.