New Jersey police officer disguised as a roadside tree catch 74 distracted drivers

A police department in New Jersey has gone viral after using an unusual disguise to crack down on distracted driving. The Dunellen Police Department dressed one of its officers in a green ghillie suit that made him resemble a roadside tree as part of a campaign to remind motorists about the dangers of using smartphones behind the wheel.

While the tree disguise was primarily used to grab public attention and encourage safer driving, police later carried out a six-hour enforcement operation with plainclothes officers on July 29, 2026, during which 74 drivers were cited for distracted driving. Officials said the campaign was aimed at reducing preventable crashes caused by motorists taking their eyes off the road.

Officer disguised himself as a roadside tree

Residents in Dunellen, New Jersey, were surprised to spot what appeared to be a strange shrub standing beside a busy road.

The "tree" was actually a police officer wearing a ghillie suit, a camouflage outfit commonly used by military snipers to blend into natural surroundings. Equipped with binoculars, the officer observed traffic while remaining almost invisible to passing motorists. Police later shared photographs of the unusual disguise on social media, where they quickly attracted widespread attention.

The disguise was part of a road safety campaign

According to the Dunellen Police Department, the officer was not hiding in the ghillie suit to issue tickets.

Instead, the disguise formed part of a public awareness campaign designed to highlight the dangers of distracted driving. Officers said they had repeatedly witnessed motorists looking down at their smartphones in a busy area with heavy traffic and pedestrian activity. By disguising an officer as a roadside tree, they hoped to deliver a memorable message that drivers should always expect enforcement and keep their focus on the road.

Plainclothes operation led to 74 citations

On July 29, 2026, officers changed into plain clothes and launched a targeted enforcement operation against distracted driving. During the six-hour crackdown, police cited 74 motorists for using their phones or otherwise driving while distracted. Authorities said the operation demonstrated how common smartphone use behind the wheel remains despite repeated warnings about its risks. Even a brief glance at a phone can significantly increase the likelihood of a collision, particularly in areas with pedestrians and cyclists.

Why distracted driving is so dangerous

Traffic safety experts have long warned that distracted driving is one of the leading causes of preventable road crashes. Looking away from the road for just a few seconds at normal driving speeds means a vehicle can travel the length of a football field without the driver watching the road ahead. Activities such as reading messages, typing texts or scrolling through notifications reduce a driver's reaction time and increase the risk of serious or fatal crashes.

New Jersey's hands-free driving law

New Jersey has a strict hands-free law that prohibits drivers from holding or using handheld mobile phones while operating a vehicle. Motorists cannot make handheld calls, send text messages, browse the internet or look at a phone screen while driving. Calls are only permitted through hands-free systems such as Bluetooth devices.Drivers caught violating the law face a minimum fine of $200 for a first offence. Repeat offenders can be fined up to $600, while those convicted of three violations may also face a licence suspension of up to 90 days. The Dunellen Police Department reminded motorists that no message or notification is worth risking a life and urged drivers to keep their eyes on the road at all times.