New Jersey DOT.

Safe Phone Zones promote safe driving practices as part of innovative PP3.

Public-Private Partnership.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation rebranded fourteen (14) Rest Areas and Scenic Overlooks as Safe Phone Zones sponsored by GEICO Insurance. The DOT is part of a national effort to encourage drivers to pull into a safe location to use their phones for calling, texting and accessing mobile apps. The Office of the Attorney General announced traffic fatalities in New Jersey rose from 562 in 2015 to 604 in 2016, an average of 12 deaths a week. The Division of Highway Traffic Safety has said the increase is in part because of distracted driving. The new GEICO Safe Phone Zones are another step in New Jersey's efforts to combat distracted driving.

The Announcement.

On June 21, 2017, NJDOT Commissioner Richard T. Hammer announced the launch of the program, stating: "We have an obligation to raise awareness about distracted driving as a real safety hazard on our roads. Programs such as this partnership with GEICO helps get the message out and reminds every driver who gets behind the wheel they must individually share in that responsibility too." Safe Phone Zones are intended to provide motorists with a safe option for communicating while traveling. GEICO expressed its enthusiasm for partnering with New Jersey DOT to provide Safe Phone Zones.

Safe Phone Zone NJ
Safe Phone Zone NJ

The State's Commitment.

“By working together, we are making New Jersey's roads safer. The Safe Phone Zones are yet another tool to combat distracted driving. Traffic fatalities continue to rise and we know that distracted driving accounts for part of this increase. If you don't have hands-free technology and you want to answer the phone, send a text message or an email, these safe zones are the places to do it.”

– Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino

The Sponsor's Commitment.

“Traffic fatalities in New Jersey took a startling jump last year, making the need to eliminate distracted driving more urgent,” said Tim Lamere, GEICO assistant vice president of underwriting for New Jersey and New England. “GEICO is proud to partner with the New Jersey Department of Transportation to provide these Safe Phone Zones throughout the state where drivers can safely pull off to take a break to check their texts, apps and emails.”