Fatal crashes in Salem County, New Jersey
In 2024, 16 people died in 14 fatal crashes in Salem County, New Jersey, up from 12 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 130 fatal crashes and 145 deaths, the 17th most of 21 counties in New Jersey.
24.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 7.1 across New Jersey in 2024; 22.6 against 6.7 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 65,874, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in New Jersey.
Deaths in Salem County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 14 | 16 |
| 2023 | 11 | 12 |
| 2022 | 19 | 20 |
| 2021 | 20 | 22 |
| 2020 | 11 | 14 |
| 2019 | 8 | 9 |
| 2018 | 7 | 9 |
| 2017 | 15 | 17 |
| 2016 | 14 | 15 |
| 2015 | 11 | 11 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Salem County
I-295 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Salem County from 2015 to 2024: 13, with 16 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 36% of all fatal crashes in Salem County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 2 US routes, 2 state highways. 45% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 55% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-295 | 13 | 16 | 2 | |
| 2 | US 40 | 13 | 14 | 4 | |
| 3 | State Highway 49 | 10 | 10 | 3 | no page |
| 4 | US 130 | 6 | 6 | 4 | |
| 5 | State Highway 77 | 5 | 6 | 1 | no page |
Carneys Point had 16% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 21 of 130.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Carneys Point 21, Pittsgrove Township 13, Pilesgrove 10, Pennsville 10, Township Of Pittsgrove 5. The city is not filed for crashes outside a city.
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
When fatal crashes happen in Salem County
130 fatal crashes in Salem County, New Jersey from 2015 to 2024 have a known time, too few for any one weekday and time of day to stand out. The worst hour is 4 pm to 5 pm; the worst month is April.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.8 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.1 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 5.4 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan9.2%
- Feb6.2%
- Mar5.4%
- Apr10.8%
- May10.0%
- Jun9.2%
- Jul7.7%
- Aug10.0%
- Sep7.7%
- Oct6.9%
- Nov8.5%
- Dec8.5%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Salem County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 49%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 27%, a pedestrian in 6.2%, a rollover in 6.2%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 63 | 49% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 35 | 27% |
| Other | 10 | 7.7% |
| Pedestrian | 8 | 6.2% |
| Rollover | 8 | 6.2% |
| Cyclist | 3 | 2.3% |
| Parked vehicle | 3 | 2.3% |
| 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
How fatal crashes in Salem County compare with New Jersey
The largest difference from New Jersey: from 2015 to 2024, 54% of fatal crashes in Salem County were on rural roads, against 11% across New Jersey. Below the New Jersey share: intersections, unbelted occupants and pedestrians. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of New Jersey. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 130 crashes.
| Salem | New Jersey | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 54% | 11% | above the New Jersey share |
| At or near an intersection | 25% | 34% | below the New Jersey share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 23% | 18% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| A drinking driver | 26% | 22% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| Speeding | 24% | 23% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 21% | 26% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 35% | 45% | below the New Jersey share |
| Hit-and-run | 4.6% | 8.7% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| A motorcycle involved | 15% | 14% | about the same as the New Jersey share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 8.3% | 29% | below the New Jersey share |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Questions about fatal crashes in Salem County, New Jersey
- How many people died in car accidents in Salem County in 2024?
- 16 people died in 14 fatal crashes in Salem County, New Jersey, in 2024, up from 12 in 2023. That is 24.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 7.1 across New Jersey. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Salem County?
- I-295 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Salem County from 2015 to 2024: 13, with 16 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Salem County involved a drinking driver?
- 34 of 130 fatal crashes in Salem County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 26%, against 22% across New Jersey.
Other counties in New Jersey with a page
- Middlesex County
- Essex County
- Camden County
- Burlington County
- Ocean County
- Monmouth County
- Atlantic County
- Bergen County
- Gloucester County
- Union County
- Mercer County
- Passaic County
All fatal crashes in New Jersey, with every county ranked.
Where the Salem County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Salem County (county code 33). A fatal crash is one in which someone died within 30 days. The rate per 100,000 uses the Census Bureau's population estimate for the county; it is the only figure here not counted from FARS. Totals from state highway departments and news reports can differ: they count from their own crash reports, often before every death within 30 days is known, while NHTSA's file is checked against death certificates and revised once a year. The full method.
Download every county with a page as CSV. Free to reuse with credit: “Fatal Crash Data, fatalcrashdata.com/fatal-crashes/new-jersey/salem-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”