New Jersey police disguise as a bush, ticket 74 drivers for phone use

In Dunellen, New Jersey, police officers from the Dunellen Police Department conducted a six‑hour traffic enforcement operation by dressing in a camouflage suit that made them appear as a roadside shrub. The officers used binoculars to spot drivers who were handling smartphones while driving and stopped each vehicle to issue citations. Seventy‑four motorists received tickets for violating the state’s hands‑free law, which carries fines of $200 for a first offense and up to $600 for repeat violations, with the possibility of a license suspension of up to 90 days after three offenses.

The stunt was carried out in a busy downtown area near North Washington Avenue, chosen for its high pedestrian traffic. Police said the goal was to draw attention to distracted driving, a leading cause of traffic accidents in the United States. The operation highlights the strict enforcement of New Jersey’s “hands‑free” statute and the creative tactics law‑enforcement may employ to improve road safety.