Distracted Driving in New Jersey: Why April Is One of the Most Dangerous Months on the Road

By Drazin & Warshaw, P.C. | Personal Injury Attorneys Serving Monmouth County, Ocean County & All of New Jersey

Driver using phone while driving car, distracted driving risk

Let’s Be Real for a Second

Picture this: you’re driving down Route 35 through Hazlet on a sunny April afternoon. Traffic’s moving, windows are down, maybe you’ve got a good song on. Life feels fine. Then the car in front of you brakes hard because the driver behind the wheel just couldn’t put their phone down.

Sound familiar? It should. Because it happens every single day on New Jersey roads, and April is one of the worst months for it.

Here’s the thing: April isn’t just another spring month. It’s National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, a nationwide campaign that exists because distracted driving has become one of the deadliest and most preventable causes of car accidents in the country. And in New Jersey, where we’ve got the Garden State Parkway, the Turnpike, packed shore routes, and millions of commuters all sharing the road? The stakes are especially high.

So let’s talk about what’s actually happening out there, why April matters, and what you need to know if you or someone you love gets hurt because another driver couldn’t look up from their screen. Contact our firm to discuss your case.

Distracted Driving in New Jersey April: Why April Feels More Dangerous Than You Expect on the Road?

A few things collide in April that make it a perfect storm for distracted driving accidents in New Jersey:

The weather breaks: After a long winter, people are excited to be outside. More cars are on the road, more motorcycles, more pedestrians out walking the boardwalk in Asbury Park or biking along the shore. More activity means more opportunities for a distracted driver to hurt someone.
Spring break and school schedules: Teen drivers are out in full force during April breaks, and statistically, young drivers are among the most likely to use their phones behind the wheel. The stretch of Route 9 through Toms River and into Brick Township sees a noticeable uptick in traffic (and unfortunately, accidents) this time of year.
Longer days, more driving: Daylight savings has kicked in. People are running more errands, making longer trips, heading down the Parkway to check on shore houses after winter. More time on the road means more exposure to distracted drivers.

And here’s the kicker: April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month precisely because data shows these trends. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that distracted driving kills around 3,000 people every year in the U.S., and injures hundreds of thousands more. In New Jersey alone, the numbers are sobering.

What Is Distracted Driving NJ: What Behaviors Are Considered Illegal in New Jersey?

Most people think distracted driving is just texting. It’s not. Not even close. New Jersey law recognizes three types of distraction:

Visual — taking your eyes off the road (checking a GPS, rubbernecking at an accident on the Turnpike)
Manual — taking your hands off the wheel (eating, adjusting the radio)
Cognitive — taking your mind off driving (talking hands-free, zoning out)

Texting is particularly dangerous because it hits all three at once. Reading a five-second text at 55 mph means you’ve just traveled the length of a football field without actually watching where you’re going. That’s not an exaggeration. That’s physics.

In New Jersey, handheld phone use while driving is illegal. First offense? Up to a $400 fine. But fines don’t fix a broken leg, a traumatic brain injury, or the loss of a loved one.

NJ Distracted Driving Accident Locations: Where Do Crashes Happen Most in Monmouth and Ocean County?

Our attorneys have handled car accident cases across the region for decades, and certain corridors come up again and again:

Route 35 through Hazlet and Middletown handles constant commuter traffic, and with so many businesses and driveways along the road, conflict points show up fast.
Route 9 from Freehold through Toms River and Brick stays busy year-round, and distracted drivers often cause rear-end crashes along this stretch.
The Garden State Parkway, especially near the Raritan Toll Plaza and exits leading to the shore, becomes even more dangerous when traffic builds and attention drops.
Route 36 near Sandy Hook and Highlands may look scenic, but congestion and distracted driving, especially from drivers focused on the views, create real risks.

If you’ve been in a car accident on any of these roads, you know how quickly things can go wrong. And if another driver’s distraction caused your crash, you may have a right to significant compensation.

NJ Distracted Driving Injury Claims: What Compensation Can You Recover After an Accident?

If a distracted driver hurt you, New Jersey law allows you to pursue compensation for:

Medical bills (past and future)
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Property damage
In the most tragic cases, wrongful death damages for families who’ve lost someone

New Jersey is a modified comparative fault state, which means even if you were partially responsible for the accident, you may still be able to recover damages. An experienced personal injury attorney in Monmouth County or Ocean County can help you understand exactly where you stand.

New Jersey Distracted Driving Accidents: What Steps Should You Take Right Now?

Beyond putting your own phone down (please, we mean it), spread the word. Talk to your teenagers. Share a post. And if you see erratic driving, keep your distance and report it if it’s safe to do so.

And if the worst has already happened and you or someone you love was hurt by a distracted driver, don’t wait. Evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Insurance companies move fast to protect their bottom line. You deserve someone in your corner who moves just as fast.

Ready to talk? Drazin & Warshaw offers free consultations for car accident and personal injury cases across Monmouth County, Ocean County, and all of New Jersey. Contact us today. There’s no fee unless we win your case.

Frequently Asked Questions: Distracted Driving Accidents in NJ

Q: How do I prove the other driver was distracted?

A: Evidence can include phone records (which your attorney can subpoena), witness statements, surveillance or dashcam footage, police reports, and even data pulled from the vehicle’s black box. An experienced car accident lawyer in New Jersey knows exactly how to build this case.

Q: What if the insurance company offers me a quick settlement?

A: Be very cautious. Quick settlement offers are almost always lowball numbers made before the full extent of your injuries is known. Consulting a personal injury attorney before accepting anything costs you nothing and could mean the difference between thousands and hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Q: How long do I have to file a claim in New Jersey?

A: New Jersey’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident. Don’t wait. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the better your case will be.

Q: Do I need a lawyer if the accident wasn’t that serious?

A: Even so-called minor accidents can result in injuries that show up days or weeks later. Whiplash, concussions, and soft tissue injuries are notoriously tricky. It costs nothing to get a free consultation and understand your options.

Q: What if I was a passenger in the car?

A: Passengers injured in distracted driving accidents have every right to pursue a claim, whether against the driver of the vehicle they were in, the other driver, or both. You did nothing wrong, and you need compensation to recover.

Q: Does Drazin & Warshaw handle cases outside Monmouth and Ocean County?

A: Yes! While our offices are in Red Bank, Hazlet, Westfield, and Brick Township, we represent injured clients throughout New Jersey.

Drazin & Warshaw, P.C. has been fighting for injured New Jerseyans for decades. If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, motorcycle crash, truck accident, slip and fall, or any other incident caused by someone else’s negligence, we’re here. Call us at 732-333-8141 or visit drazinandwarshaw.com.

Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.