New Jersey cop disguises himself as a roadside bush to catch distracted drivers, and the six-hour operation led to 74 citations: ‘Eyes on the road’

A police officer in Dunellen, New Jersey, dressed up as a bush and stood on the side of a busy road to catch drivers who were using their phones. The unusual disguise seems to be a part of an effort to enforce the state’s law against handheld cell phone use while driving.

The operation took place in the 100 block of North Washington Avenue, a busy downtown area with heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Officers said they spent six hours in the area and issued 74 citations to drivers accused of being distracted by their phones.

The Dunellen Borough Police Department shared photos of the operation on Facebook. In the post, the department asked residents, “Did you spot our ‘shrub’ today? If you had your head buried in your phone, probably not!”

The bush disguise helped officers spot distracted drivers

One photo shared by the department showed an officer wearing a full bush costume, holding a pair of binoculars while watching the road. The costume covered him almost completely, making him look like a green, shrub-shaped figure standing at the roadside.

The officer in the bush costume is seen keeping watch on the road as part of the operation. Other officers appeared to be stationed nearby and carried out the citations, though the department’s post did not detail exactly how each distracted driver was identified. Other unusual roadside encounters have also drawn attention online, including a case where pulling over for helping a turtle led to a surprising ticket.

The Dunellen Borough Police Department said it chose this stretch of road in Middlesex County specifically to enforce New Jersey’s Handheld Cell Phone Law and to protect the community.

Under New Jersey law, using a handheld smartphone or other electronic device while driving is illegal. A first offense carries a fine of $200 to $400. Not all traffic stops end so simply though, as shown by a separate incident where a trooper smashed a car window during a stop that split public opinion online.

In its Facebook post, the department wrote, “The results? Our ‘shrub’ was busy.” The department added a reminder to drivers, saying, “Let this be a reminder: That text or notification can wait. Keep your eyes on the road, not your screen!”