Fatal crashes in New Jersey
In 2024, 670 people died in 638 fatal crashes on New Jersey roads, 10.7% more than in 2023. That is about 2 deaths a day, and 1.7% of all road deaths in the United States.
New Jersey ranks 23rd of 51 by road deaths in 2024, and joint 46th by deaths per resident. Every state in 2024.
Road deaths in New Jersey since 1975
Road deaths in New Jersey peaked in 1981 at 1,162; 2024's 670 is 42% below that. The lowest year was 2013 with 542. 2024 is 8% below 2000 and 36% below 1975.
| Year | Deaths | Fatal crashes | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 670 | 638 | +10.7% |
| 2023 | 605 | 572 | -12.2% |
| 2022 | 689 | 646 | -0.4% |
| 2021 | 692 | 662 | +18.1% |
| 2020 | 586 | 549 | +5.0% |
| 2019 | 558 | 524 | -0.9% |
| 2018 | 563 | 524 | -9.8% |
| 2017 | 624 | 591 | +3.7% |
| 2016 | 602 | 570 | +7.3% |
| 2015 | 561 | 521 | +0.9% |
Show 1975 to 2014
| Year | Deaths | Fatal crashes | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 556 | 523 | +2.6% |
| 2013 | 542 | 508 | -8.0% |
| 2012 | 589 | 553 | -6.1% |
| 2011 | 627 | 586 | +12.8% |
| 2010 | 556 | 530 | -4.8% |
| 2009 | 584 | 550 | -1.0% |
| 2008 | 590 | 555 | -18.5% |
| 2007 | 724 | 674 | -6.1% |
| 2006 | 771 | 709 | +3.2% |
| 2005 | 747 | 690 | +3.3% |
| 2004 | 723 | 684 | -1.4% |
| 2003 | 733 | 664 | -4.9% |
| 2002 | 771 | 698 | +3.5% |
| 2001 | 745 | 681 | +1.9% |
| 2000 | 731 | 659 | +0.7% |
| 1999 | 726 | 664 | -2.0% |
| 1998 | 741 | 671 | -4.4% |
| 1997 | 775 | 700 | -4.8% |
| 1996 | 814 | 754 | +5.2% |
| 1995 | 774 | 719 | +1.7% |
| 1994 | 761 | 691 | -3.5% |
| 1993 | 789 | 722 | +3.4% |
| 1992 | 763 | 694 | -2.6% |
| 1991 | 783 | 737 | -11.6% |
| 1990 | 886 | 817 | -0.6% |
| 1989 | 891 | 814 | -15.2% |
| 1988 | 1,051 | 966 | +2.7% |
| 1987 | 1,023 | 929 | -1.5% |
| 1986 | 1,039 | 946 | +7.8% |
| 1985 | 964 | 885 | +4.6% |
| 1984 | 922 | 859 | -1.1% |
| 1983 | 932 | 866 | -12.2% |
| 1982 | 1,061 | 965 | -8.7% |
| 1981 | 1,162 | 1,043 | +3.8% |
| 1980 | 1,120 | 1,022 | -1.9% |
| 1979 | 1,142 | 1,052 | +1.6% |
| 1978 | 1,124 | 1,017 | +3.9% |
| 1977 | 1,082 | 978 | +5.2% |
| 1976 | 1,029 | 920 | -1.3% |
| 1975 | 1,043 | 923 | No data |
Deaths within 30 days of a crash on a public road, as NHTSA counts them. 2024 is the latest year NHTSA has published; the 2024 figures are from the Annual Report File and may be revised when NHTSA releases the final file. The 2025 file is expected in spring 2027.
The deadliest roads and most dangerous highways in New Jersey
US 1 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in New Jersey from 2015 to 2024: 157, with 172 deaths. The 20 roads listed held 29% of all fatal crashes in New Jersey from 2015 to 2024; 5 are interstates, 9 US routes, 6 state highways. Interstate, US and state routes ranked by fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024; ramps and frontage roads are left out (51 crashes). Roads with 15 or more fatal crashes in 2022 to 2024 have their own page. Every numbered road in New Jersey, ranked.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | Counties with the most | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 1 | 157 | 172 | 61 | Middlesex, Union, Mercer |
| 2 | I-95 | 155 | 170 | 42 | Middlesex, Mercer, Bergen |
| 3 | US 9 | 127 | 138 | 46 | Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean |
| 4 | US 30 | 126 | 133 | 44 | Camden, Atlantic |
| 5 | US 130 | 111 | 117 | 37 | Burlington, Camden, Middlesex |
| 6 | I-80 | 104 | 117 | 31 | Morris, Warren, Passaic |
| 7 | I-78 | 87 | 93 | 24 | Somerset, Union, Hunterdon |
| 8 | I-295 | 86 | 90 | 26 | Burlington, Gloucester, Mercer |
| 9 | State Highway 27 | 78 | 85 | 26 | Union, Middlesex, Essex |
| 10 | State Highway 70 | 78 | 79 | 29 | Ocean, Burlington, Camden |
| 11 | US 40 | 76 | 79 | 24 | Atlantic, Salem, Gloucester |
| 12 | State Highway 47 | 67 | 70 | 21 | Cumberland, Gloucester, Cape May |
| 13 | US 322 | 65 | 69 | 23 | Gloucester, Atlantic |
| 14 | State Highway 55 | 60 | 65 | 12 | Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem |
| 15 | US 46 | 59 | 61 | 17 | Morris, Bergen, Passaic |
| 16 | State Highway 35 | 57 | 59 | 18 | Monmouth, Middlesex, Ocean |
| 17 | US 206 | 52 | 56 | 16 | Burlington, Sussex, Mercer |
| 18 | I-287 | 51 | 57 | 14 | Somerset, Middlesex, Bergen |
| 19 | State Highway 33 | 49 | 49 | 10 | Monmouth, Mercer, Middlesex |
| 20 | US 22 | 43 | 47 | 14 | Somerset, Union, Hunterdon |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Download every numbered road in New Jersey as CSV. Free to reuse with credit: “Fatal Crash Data, fatalcrashdata.com/fatal-crashes/new-jersey/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”
The deadliest counties in New Jersey
Middlesex County had the most fatal crashes in New Jersey from 2015 to 2024: 494, with 532 deaths. Middlesex, Essex and Camden counties together held 24% of fatal crashes in New Jersey from 2015 to 2024; the 20 listed held 99%. 21 counties in New Jersey recorded a fatal crash in those years; the 20 with the most are listed, with deaths per 100,000 residents where the county had 10 or more deaths in 2024.
Per resident, Salem County has the highest rate in New Jersey: 22.6 road deaths per 100,000 residents a year from 2015 to 2024, against 6.7 for the state as a whole. Counties with fewer than 10,000 residents are hatched rather than shaded: a few crashes on a highway through a small county make a rate that says more about its population than its roads.
| County | 2024 | 2015 to 2024 | Deaths | Deaths per 100,000100K, 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middlesex County | 54 | 494 | 532 | 6.7 |
| 2 | Essex County | 46 | 442 | 470 | 5.3 |
| 3 | Camden County | 37 | 427 | 448 | 6.9 |
| 4 | Burlington County | 45 | 418 | 445 | 9.5 |
| 5 | Ocean County | 42 | 400 | 423 | 6.6 |
| 6 | Monmouth County | 48 | 388 | 413 | 7.6 |
| 7 | Atlantic County | 55 | 365 | 385 | 20.1 |
| 8 | Bergen County | 40 | 345 | 368 | 4.3 |
| 9 | Gloucester County | 29 | 337 | 362 | 10.3 |
| 10 | Union County | 34 | 290 | 302 | 6.4 |
| 11 | Mercer County | 35 | 259 | 266 | 9.2 |
| 12 | Passaic County | 32 | 246 | 262 | 6.3 |
| 13 | Cumberland County | 25 | 230 | 250 | 19.3 |
| 14 | Morris County | 21 | 221 | 234 | 4.0 |
| 15 | Hudson County | 19 | 220 | 234 | 2.7 |
| 16 | Somerset County | 18 | 186 | 196 | 5.3 |
| 17 | Salem County | 14 | 130 | 145 | 24.3 |
| 18 | Warren County | 14 | 113 | 119 | 13.4 |
| 19 | Cape May County | 9 | 110 | 114 | Not enough data |
| 20 | Sussex County | 12 | 103 | 107 | 8.1 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Download every county with a page as CSV. Free to reuse with credit: “Fatal Crash Data, fatalcrashdata.com/fatal-crashes/new-jersey/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”
The deadliest counties in America: every county ranked nationally, and per resident
When fatal crashes happen in New Jersey
The heaviest slot is Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 244 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 8 pm to 9 pm; the worst month is October.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 3.3 percent, 194 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 108 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 99 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 153 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 182 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 164 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.5 percent, 88 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 97 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 98 fatal crashes | 2.2 percent, 126 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 158 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 181 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.0 percent, 57 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 115 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 99 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 160 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 159 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 135 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.2 percent, 72 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 101 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 99 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 160 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 183 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 153 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.3 percent, 78 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 104 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 107 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 123 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 208 fatal crashes | 3.2 percent, 188 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.7 percent, 96 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 114 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 110 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 136 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 193 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 228 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.5 percent, 204 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 102 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 85 fatal crashes | 2.5 percent, 144 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 189 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 244 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.7%
- Feb6.1%
- Mar6.6%
- Apr6.8%
- May8.1%
- Jun9.2%
- Jul9.1%
- Aug8.8%
- Sep9.4%
- Oct10.3%
- Nov9.3%
- Dec8.6%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Where fatal crashes happen in New Jersey: rural or urban, intersection, dark or daylight
11% of fatal crashes in New Jersey from 2015 to 2024 were on rural roads, below the US share of 43%; 34% happened at or near an intersection, above the US share of 25%; 18% in the dark on unlit roads, below the US share of 28%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across the United States.
| New Jersey | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 11% | 43% | below the US share |
| At or near an intersection | 34% | 25% | above the US share |
| In daylight | 44% | 46% | below the US share |
| In the dark, road lit | 29% | 21% | above the US share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 18% | 28% | below the US share |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Who died on New Jersey roads in 2024
Vehicle occupants were 46% of the 670 people killed on New Jersey roads in 2024; pedestrians 31% (210), motorcyclists 17% (112), cyclists 3.7% (25).
| Road user | Deaths | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle occupants | 311 | 46% |
| Pedestrians | 210 | 31% |
| Motorcyclists | 112 | 17% |
| Cyclists | 25 | 3.7% |
| Others (on personal conveyances, in parked vehicles, in buildings) | 12 | 1.8% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
How fatal crashes happen in New Jersey: alcohol, speeding, seat belts, hit-and-run
A drinking driver was recorded in 22% of fatal crashes in New Jersey from 2015 to 2024, below the US share of 26%; speeding in 23%, below the US share of 27%; a hit-and-run in 8.7%, above the US share of 6.5%; a driver recorded as distracted in 26%, above the US share of 8.7%; 45% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the US share of 49%.
Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024 with the factor recorded, against the US share. "A drinking driver" is NHTSA's drinking-driver flag (police-reported drinking or any positive alcohol test), not its "alcohol-impaired" figure. "Unbelted" is the share of passenger-vehicle occupants killed whose belt use is known (2,916 in New Jersey).
| New Jersey | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| A drinking driver | 22% | 26% | below the US share |
| Speeding | 23% | 27% | below the US share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 26% | 8.7% | above the US share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 45% | 49% | below the US share |
| Hit-and-run | 8.7% | 6.5% | above the US share |
| A motorcycle involved | 14% | 16% | below the US share |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What the first harmful event was
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 34%; a pedestrian in 29%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 25%, a cyclist in 3.3%. What each fatal crash first hit, 2015 to 2024.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 1,943 | 34% |
| Pedestrian | 1,678 | 29% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 1,470 | 25% |
| Other | 231 | 4.0% |
| Cyclist | 192 | 3.3% |
| Rollover | 169 | 2.9% |
| Parked vehicle | 114 | 2.0% |
| Not reported | 0 | 0.0% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Vehicles in fatal crashes in New Jersey
Cars were 45% of the 8,474 vehicles in fatal crashes in New Jersey from 2015 to 2024, SUVs 23%, motorcycles 9.8%, pickups 8.1%. Every vehicle in a fatal crash from 2015 to 2024, by body type.
| Type | Vehicles | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Cars | 3,785 | 45% |
| SUVs | 1,934 | 23% |
| Motorcycles | 833 | 9.8% |
| Pickups | 685 | 8.1% |
| Vans | 447 | 5.3% |
| Other trucks | 394 | 4.6% |
| Truck-tractors | 315 | 3.7% |
| Buses | 81 | 1.0% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Road deaths in New Jersey per resident and per mile driven
| New Jersey | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths per 100,000 residents, 2024 | 7.1 | 11.5 | below the US rate |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents a year, 2015 to 2024 | 6.7 | 11.8 | below the US rate |
| Deaths per 100 million vehicle-miles, 2024 | 0.84 | 1.19 | below the US rate |
Population 9,500,851 (Census Bureau estimate, 2024); 79,460 million vehicle-miles (FHWA Highway Statistics 2024, table VM-2). The only figures on this page not counted from FARS.
Questions about fatal crashes in New Jersey
- How many people died in car accidents in New Jersey in 2024?
- 670 people died in 638 fatal crashes on New Jersey roads in 2024, 10.7% more than in 2023. That is 7.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 11.5 across the United States. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in New Jersey?
- US 1 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in New Jersey from 2015 to 2024: 157, with 172 deaths. I-95 was second with 155.
- Which county in New Jersey has the most fatal crashes?
- Middlesex County, with 494 fatal crashes and 532 deaths from 2015 to 2024, 54 of them in 2024.
- When do fatal crashes in New Jersey happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Saturday, 8 pm to midnight, with 244 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in New Jersey involved a drinking driver?
- 1,277 of 5,797 fatal crashes in New Jersey from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 22%, against 26% across the United States.
County pages for New Jersey
Every county in New Jersey with 30 or more fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, each with its crashes by year, roads, hour and weekday, and deaths per 100,000 residents.
- Middlesex County 494
- Essex County 442
- Camden County 427
- Burlington County 418
- Ocean County 400
- Monmouth County 388
- Atlantic County 365
- Bergen County 345
- Gloucester County 337
- Union County 290
- Mercer County 259
- Passaic County 246
- Cumberland County 230
- Morris County 221
- Hudson County 220
- Somerset County 186
- Salem County 130
- Warren County 113
- Cape May County 110
- Sussex County 103
- Hunterdon County 73
Road pages for New Jersey
Every numbered road in New Jersey with 15 or more fatal crashes from 2022 to 2024, each with its crashes by year, county, hour and weekday.
Where the New Jersey numbers come from
Every figure on this page except the rates is counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, the federal census of fatal crashes on US public roads, 2024 Annual Report File. A fatal crash is one in which someone died within 30 days. Road names are normalised ("I-35", "I 35" and "I-35/PURPLE HEART TRL" are the same road); frontage roads and ramps ("I35 FRONTAGE") are left out of road counts. Totals from the state highway department and news reports can differ by a few: they count from the state's own crash reports, often before every death within 30 days is known, while NHTSA's file is checked and revised once a year. Fields NHTSA coded as unknown show as "Not reported"; a share is only given over 20 crashes, otherwise "Not enough data". Rates per resident and per mile use Census Bureau population estimates and FHWA vehicle-miles, the only figures not counted from FARS. The full method.