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Traffic Fatalities Decline Nationally, but New Jersey Sees Alarming Increase

map of New Jersey with graph overlay detailing increase in accident traffic deaths for blog from personal injury law firm

In the first half of 2024, the United States experienced a slight decline in traffic-related fatalities, with a 3.2% decrease in fatalities compared to the same period in 2023, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Despite the nationwide drop, New Jersey has become a troubling outlier, recording a sharp increase in traffic deaths on its roads, raising concerns among state officials and safety experts alike.

Rising Traffic Deaths in New Jersey

As of September 2024, traffic fatalities in New Jersey have surged by 13.8% compared to traffic deaths over the same timeframe in 2023. State Police data reveal that 417 people lost their lives in traffic accidents during the first half of 2024—53 more deaths than the previous year. Middlesex County reported the highest number of fatalities at 42, followed by Monmouth with 37 and Essex with 34. The rise in traffic deaths in New Jersey starkly contrasts with the state’s 2023 figures, which showed a decline aligned with the national trend.

Tracy Noble, AAA Clubs Alliance government affairs manager, attributes part of this increase to a “general disregard for the safety of others,” a troubling behavior trend compounded by the increased number of people on the road post-pandemic. This trend reflects findings from a recent AAA Foundation for Safety Study, which noted a rise in fatal crashes  and traffic deaths due to speeding and intoxicated driving.

Vulnerable Road Users IN TRAFFIC DEATHS: Pedestrians and Cyclists at Greater Risk

One of the most alarming aspects of New Jersey’s traffic fatality data is the increasing number of deaths among pedestrians and cyclists. So far this year, pedestrian deaths in New Jersey have climbed to 131, compared to 96 in the same period last year. The death toll among cyclists has also increased, from 14 to 17. This spike comes after a modest reduction in pedestrian deaths from 2022 to 2023, puzzling experts who hoped for a continued downward trend.

Pam Fischer, former director of the state Division of Highway Traffic Safety, highlights several factors contributing to this increase: a lack of safe infrastructure, like protected bike lanes and pedestrian crossings, combined with the prevalence of high-speed, multi-lane highways through densely populated areas. Route 9, a major highway in Middlesex and Monmouth counties, exemplifies this challenge; it’s heavily trafficked and surrounded by residential and commercial zones but lacks essential pedestrian infrastructure.

Right turns on red lights, larger vehicles like SUVs and pickup trucks, and increased driver impairment are also contributing factors, Fischer notes. Approximately one-third of pedestrians killed in motor vehicle crashes were found to have a blood alcohol content above the legal limit, while 16% of drivers involved in fatal pedestrian accidents also had elevated blood alcohol levels.

Collaborative Efforts to Address the Issue

The increasing fatalities among pedestrians and cyclists have heightened the urgency for state-level action. In response, the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety has invited experts from the NHTSA to evaluate existing pedestrian and bicycle safety programs across the state. These experts will provide recommendations to improve road safety for all users, particularly vulnerable ones like cyclists and pedestrians.

On a broader scale, AAA’s Tracy Noble underscores the need for ongoing safety efforts and education to tackle risky driving behaviors. Addressing the COVID-19 pandemic’s lingering impact on driver behavior—particularly speeding and driving under the influence—is also critical, as these factors contributed to a rise in fatal crashes across the nation during 2020-2022.

Looking Ahead: A National and Regional Perspective

The national decline in fatalities, estimated at 18,720 deaths in early 2024 compared to 19,330 during the same period in 2023, is promising, especially considering a slight increase in vehicle miles traveled. However, New Jersey, along with the broader New Jersey-New York-Pennsylvania region and two other East Coast regions, stands as an exception to the trend.

As the state faces unique challenges, New Jersey’s leaders, safety advocates, and transportation planners must prioritize infrastructure improvements and driver education to reverse this troubling increase. Enhanced public awareness and collaboration with federal safety experts may be key steps in creating safer roads for everyone in New Jersey. The stakes are high, but with targeted action, the goal of reducing fatalities can become a reality.

 

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sources

NJ.com

New Jersey State Police Data

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