652 stops + 278 tickets = 0 deaths on Route 539 in Ocean County

The month-long, multi-agency safe-driving initiative on Ocean County's Route 539 ends with no fatalities, according to the office of County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato.

Members of 16 local, county and state law enforcement agencies prowled the highway's 38 Ocean County miles in marked and unmarked cars from August 15 through September 14.

The initiative stemmed from the rash of collisions that left 11 dead on the highway from 2013 through July 31, 2015.

Officials said they stopped 652 vehicles, issued 278 summonses and logged 10 arrests. They reported 82 speeding tickets, 75 for non-moving violations, 70 for moving violations, 35 for seat belt compliance and two for driving while intoxicated.

"The initiative raised significant awareness among the motoring public regarding the safety issues along CR 539," Coronato said in a prepared statement. "But more important, it has coordinated efforts by Ocean County Law Enforcement, Engineering and Road Departments to take important steps toward making commuting along (the highway) safer."

A 25-mile portion from Little Egg Harbor to Plumsted is scheduled for engineering improvements in 2016, including raised pavement markers, rumble strips, weatherproof reflective striping, and multiple LED warning signs and high-friction pavement at precarious curves.

There is also an educational component that includes signs, posters and coordinated social media entries by all partnering agencies.