[VIDEO BELOW] Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato today announced details of his Summer 2016 Safety/Enforcement Initiative to address rising fatalities, 55 Alcohol/Narcotics motor vehicle arrests, numerous serious accidents and moving motor vehicle violations that have occurred from 2015 to the present on CR 528. The following charts highlight CR 528 Crash Hot Spots from 2012-2015: 

Prosecutor Coronato stated, “Ocean County Law Enforcement must be pro-active in our efforts to keep motorists safe. A review of Crash/Arrest/Traffic Enforcement statistics and a rise in 2015 fatalities for CR528, added to the huge influx of additional summer commuters on this roadway, calls for a prudent coordinated traffic safety response.  As in the case of CR539 last summer, I have called upon all departments having jurisdiction in the area to do their part in alleviating these concerns and resolving potential safety issues”.

This safety/enforcement initiative on CR 528 between Mantoloking and Plumsted Borough encompasses five (5) municipal jurisdictions traversing 26 miles of roadway in Ocean County from Milepost 14 – 40.    The road crosses through the towns of Mantoloking, Brick, Lakewood, Jackson, and Plumsted.  Additionally, Ocean County Law Enforcement will also partner with the New Jersey State Police and the Police Departments of Bordentown, Chesterfield and North Hanover to focus increase enforcement efforts on CR 528 from MP 0 – 14 in Burlington County.

The planned response is the result of extensive meetings called for by Prosecutor Coronato with local police chiefs, county officers/officials, NJ State Police, NJ Office of Highway Traffic Safety, and the Ocean County Road/Engineering Departments to assure a full safety review of this major artery traversing Ocean County utilizing the proven plan of action covering three (3) critical components: Enforcement, Engineering, and Education.  The crafted initiative is a coordinated multi-jurisdictional/agency effort supported by the Chiefs of Police and Department Heads from the following jurisdictions/agencies:

• Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office
• Ocean County Sheriff’s Department
• NJ State Police Troop “C” – Tactical Patrol Unit
• NJ State Police – Transportation Safety Bureau
• NJ Office of Highway Traffic Safety
• Ocean County Road Department
• Ocean County Engineering Department
• Mantoloking Police Department
• Brick Police Department
• Lakewood Police Department
• Jackson Police Department
• Plumsted Police Department
• NJ State Police Troop “C” – Bordentown Station Burlington County
• Bordentown Police Department – Burlington County
• Chesterfield Police Department – Burlington County
• North Hanover Police Department – Burlington County

The enforcement element of the initiative, which will run from June 17 – June 30, will bring vigilant and aggressive enforcement of all those motor vehicle moving and equipment violations that are major contributory causes to crashes.  These causes include, but are not limited to, Improper Passing, Excessive Speed, Driving While Under the Influence, Aggressive Driving, Improper Turning, Failing to Yield, Inattentive Driving, Disregard of Traffic Signal, Following Too Close and various commercial carrier violations such as overweight, equipment maintenance and brake pressure.  Additionally as part of the enforcement efforts, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office personnel assigned to the detail will utilize unmarked police vehicles to report any aggressive and erratic driving to operating marked units, all policing agencies are encouraged to utilize patrol vehicles equipped with Automated License Plate Readers, and Variable Message Signs will be strategically placed along the roadway during the course of the initiative.

The engineering aspect of the initiative will include a review by Ocean County Engineering of the accidents and specific roadway dynamics to determine if ‘Rumble Strips’ or other possible safety improvements may be appropriate for portions of the roadway.

The education element will include signage, media postings, radio public service announcements, awareness posters and coordinated social media postings by all the partnering agencies. As evident by recent localized media releases on enforcement, Prosecutor Coronato has directed all participating Chiefs to be proactive in keeping media informed of enforcement efforts, crash stats and initiative developments.

With regard to the public’s contribution – we simply ask all motorists to please drive responsibly.