Every police department in the county is joining a new highway safety task force targeting speeding, drunk driving, distracted driving and other dangerous behaviors
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, N.J. — Drivers traveling through Cape May County this summer can expect a heightened law enforcement presence as officials launch a countywide traffic safety initiative aimed at reducing fatal and serious injury crashes.
The new program, known as the SHIELD Task Force Initiative — Safety on Highways through Intensive Enforcement & Law Enforcement Deployment — brings together every municipal police department in Cape May County, along with the Cape May County Sheriff’s Office, New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety.
Officials said the initiative will focus on the driving behaviors most often linked to serious and fatal crashes, including speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving, aggressive driving and pedestrian safety violations.
Using crash data, traffic trends and enforcement statistics, participating agencies will identify high-risk locations across the county and conduct targeted operations throughout the year.
Planned enforcement efforts include saturation patrols, DUI checkpoints, speed enforcement details and coordinated multi-agency enforcement waves.
Cape May County officials said the county faces unique roadway challenges because of seasonal tourism, increased shore traffic and heavily traveled highway corridors that see significant increases in vehicle volume during the summer months.
Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland said the initiative is designed to bring local, county and state law enforcement agencies together under a unified strategy focused on preventing traffic-related tragedies.
In addition to enforcement, the SHIELD Task Force will launch a public awareness campaign encouraging safer driving habits. Officials said messaging will complement national traffic safety programs such as Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and Click It or Ticket.
The initiative is supported through partnerships with the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, and officials said they will pursue additional state and federal funding opportunities to support long-term operations.
Authorities plan to measure the effectiveness of the program through ongoing reviews of crash statistics, enforcement activity, DUI arrests and public awareness efforts.
The SHIELD Task Force is scheduled to begin its initial operational phase this summer, with enforcement and education efforts continuing year-round.
Key Points
- Cape May County is launching the SHIELD Task Force to reduce traffic deaths and serious crashes.
- The initiative includes every municipal police department, the Sheriff’s Office and New Jersey State Police.
- Enforcement will target speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving and other dangerous behaviors.
