Fatal car crashes are increasing across New Jersey and the rest of the nation, and so, too, are wrecks resulting in at least one serious injury. In 2021, New Jersey saw its highest number of deadly crashes in almost 15 years, raising questions about what transportation officials and state safety advocates might do to reduce these figures.
According to NJ 101.5, the state of New Jersey has taken action to reduce deadly crashes in recent years. However, these actions have failed to result in a reduction in road deaths. Also, many New Jersey crashes that produce injuries or fatalities share similar elements, such as driving under the influence, in common.
New Jersey crash statistics
In 2021, there were a total of 661 fatal car crashes that took place within state lines. Those 661 fatal crashes resulted in the loss of 691 lives. The year prior, in 2020, there were 587 lives lost on New Jersey’s roadways, and in 2019, there were 524 fatal crashes resulting in 558 deaths. Some of those deaths involved drivers and passengers riding in vehicles. Others involved pedestrians or cyclists.
National crash statistics
Fatal crashes are also increasing at the national level. During the first six months of 2021, there were 20,160 people killed in crashes across the nation. This is an 18,4%-increase over the same period the year before and also the highest number of road deaths recorded during any year since 2006.
The New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety plans to sink more than $20 million in funding into initiatives aimed at reducing crashes involving fatalities or serious injuries across New Jersey.