Dunellen police in New Jersey employed an unconventional tactic on Wednesday to identify and ticket distracted drivers, resulting in 74 citations issued during a six-hour enforcement operation. An officer dressed in a shrub costume was stationed along a busy road in Middlesex County to covertly observe motorists violating the state’s handheld cellphone law.

The initiative aimed to improve road safety by targeting drivers using handheld devices behind the wheel. New Jersey law prohibits the use of handheld cellphones while driving, with penalties ranging from $200 to $400 for a first offense.

“This operation was designed to enforce the state's distracted-driving regulations and encourage safer driving habits,” the Dunellen Police Department said in a social media post highlighting the success of the effort. The department described the officer’s shrub disguise as an effective tool for catching drivers who might otherwise evade detection.

The use of creative enforcement strategies comes amid ongoing concerns over distracted driving, which remains a leading cause of traffic accidents nationwide. By blending into the roadside environment, law enforcement officials hope to increase compliance with laws intended to reduce accidents caused by cellphone use.

The department’s enforcement action is part of broader statewide efforts to curb distracted driving, promote public safety, and reduce crashes attributed to driver inattention. Authorities continue to remind drivers that using handheld devices while driving is illegal and endangers both motorists and pedestrians.