Police Chief Rob Lawson tell TLS that Lakewood isn’t part of the official “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.” statewide crackdown which began today, but police are on alert for cell-phone usage and other distracted driving habits.
TLS has received many emails regarding multiple traffic stops along the Route 9 corridor, many whom were ticketed for cell phone usage, but the officers are just doing their job.
“We aren’t paying any officers for overtime enforcement,” says Chief Lawson.
During official statewide campaigns which Lakewood takes part in, the Lakewood Police Department receives extra funds to pay for the overtime enforcement.
A list of police departments taking part in the campaign can be found here. Each department received $5,000 for the extra enforcement.
Lakewood takes part in the annual ‘Click-it or Ticket’ campaign.
[TLS. Reader-submitted photo]
lpd keep up your good work. Maybe now there won’t be that many accidents anymore
The LPD Should ticket people who drive and talk or text or say tehilim for that matter. Driving a car is meant to occupy ones full attention while being done. I am not looking for cops who are our friends I want cops who do the job. WHen a kid gets run over god firbid on the streets of lakewood are we gonna say we are so glad the lpd was not makpid on the drivers in town?
People who text or gab on handheld phones while driving are idiots and shouldn’t be allowed on the road. Fining them won’t help, but suspending their licenses might do the trick…and keep others alive.
One of my neighbors got a ticket for holding a phone he had just taken out of his pocket as he was pulling up in front of his house. Excessive? Perhaps, but better safe than sorry.
Now, if they could just do something about all the nitwits who pass school buses when kids are getting on and off or pass cars that stop for pedestrians (and nearly wipe out the pedestrian) or pass cars in double yellow line zones or don’t seat belt their kids or do other reckless things while driving we’d all be a lot safer.