New Jersey officials are stepping up enforcement against distracted driving this month, deploying additional patrols and funding dozens of law enforcement agencies as part of a statewide push to curb cellphone use behind the wheel.

The effort, branded “Put the Phone Away or Pay,” runs through April in conjunction with National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Authorities say drivers can expect increased police presence and targeted enforcement focused on handheld cellphone use, including texting, calling and scrolling while driving.

State data underscores the scope of the problem. In 2024, distracted driving was linked to 42 percent of crashes in New Jersey, resulting in 175 deaths and roughly 1,500 serious injuries.

Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said the initiative is aimed at both enforcement and behavior change, warning that multitasking behind the wheel significantly raises the risk of serious accidents.

Transportation safety officials emphasize that cellphone use is among the most dangerous forms of distraction because it diverts a driver’s attention in multiple ways — visually, manually and cognitively. But other behaviors, including eating, adjusting controls or interacting with passengers, can also contribute to crashes.

To support the effort, the Division of Highway Traffic Safety is distributing $706,860 in grants to 126 municipal and county law enforcement agencies. An additional $211,820 is being allocated to the New Jersey State Police to bolster enforcement along major highways, including the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway and interstate corridors.

Under New Jersey law, drivers are prohibited from using handheld electronic devices while operating a vehicle. Penalties escalate with repeat offenses, starting at fines between $200 and $400 for a first violation and rising to as much as $800 for subsequent offenses, along with insurance points and mandatory court appearances.

Enforcement campaigns in prior years have led to thousands of citations. In April 2025 alone, authorities issued 6,872 tickets for cellphone-related violations and 4,337 for careless driving.

Officials say the increased enforcement will continue throughout the month, with a dual focus on issuing citations and reinforcing the message that distracted driving remains one of the state’s leading — and preventable — causes of serious crashes.