# New Jersey police in tree disguise catch 74 distracted drivers 2026-08-07T14:11:14+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet A New Jersey police officer disguised as a roadside tree helped catch 74 distracted drivers in a six-hour operation. The Dunellen Police Department used the officer in a green ghillie suit as a public awareness tactic before plainclothes officers issued citations on July 29, 2026. The campaign targeted motorists using mobile phones while driving. New Jersey law bans handheld phone use while driving, with fines starting at $200. Officials said the operation aimed to reduce preventable crashes caused by inattentive drivers. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com Tags: distracted driving, ghillie suit, hands-free law, New Jersey, police tactic, traffic safety Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/new-jersey-police-in-tree-disguise-catch-74-distracted-drivers/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/new-jersey-police-in-tree-disguise-catch-74-distracted-drivers/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.