New Jersey Sees Encouraging Decline in Traffic Fatalities After Record-High Year
Traffic deaths in New Jersey fell after a 30-year peak in 2024. Traffic crashes killed 575 people in 2025, down from 684 in 2024, according to New Jersey State Police preliminary data. After years of rising car mortality in the state, this 15% decline is promising.
Although still being analyzed, state authorities said preliminary results suggest significant development. Highway deaths should decline to 577 by 2025, per New Jersey’s Highway Safety Plan. Meeting this condition puts the state somewhat ahead of national traffic safety standards.
The improvement exceeds official forecasts. New Jersey traffic deaths were expected to reduce 10% between 2024 and 2025, according to the NHTSA. The state beat that estimate despite Americans traveling 25 billion extra miles. New Jersey’s faster decline in traffic fatalities stands out given last year’s losses.
County-level data suggests state-wide road deaths were inconsistent. Ocean County had the most collision deaths, 62 in 53. Middlesex County reported 48 collision deaths, while Essex had 42. Six collisions in Hunterdon County killed the fewest in 2025.
Recent priorities include pedestrian safety. In 2025, pedestrian deaths fell from 230 to 173 after rising 30% in 2024. Urban and high-traffic areas still have high pedestrian fatality rates, despite the welcome decline. Essex County led pedestrian deaths with 25, followed by Ocean County with 17.
Cyclist deaths were steady. Statewide, 17 cyclists died in 2025, down from 18. The reduction is small, but officials say even one life saved is noteworthy and emphasize bicycle safety on New Jersey highways.
Target Zero, a New Jersey campaign to eradicate road deaths by 2040, reduced traffic fatalities. In January, Phil Murphy signed legislation creating the pioneering Target Zero Commission comprising 13 state agencies. The commission creates and implements state-wide road mortality reduction programs.
December saw the panel endorse a detailed traffic death reduction draft report. State officials call the 72-page plan the nation’s first statewide vehicle fatality prevention plan. Many new laws, policies, and state and local enforcement actions are suggested.
The report prioritizes safer people, roads, speeds, vehicles, and post-crash care, following the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Systems Approach. Driver education, pedestrian safety, road design, speed management, vehicle safety, traffic law awareness, and crash reaction are detailed. The initiative also identifies 140 high-injury interstate, state, and local roads that need safety improvements.
Safety advocates and traffic collision victims’ relatives urged state lawmakers to act quickly on the report’s recommendations at an early December public session. State transportation authorities sent the approved report to Governor Murphy, the legislature, and Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill’s transition team to maintain momentum amid leadership changes.
The 2025 drop in highway deaths is positive, but state officials report hundreds of New Jersey traffic deaths. The data suggests success is possible, but dedication, enforcement, and investment are needed to maintain the decline and accomplish zero traffic fatalities.
Sources
New Jersey State Police
New Jersey Department of Transportation
Target Zero Commission
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
