People are Dying More Often in Car Crashes This Year: A Look at the Disturbing Upward Trend
The change in the number of fatal accidents in New Jersey this year is staggering and worrisome. As of December 12, 2024, the New Jersey State Police Fatal Investigation Unit has reported 625 fatal crashes and 662 deaths. There have been almost 100 more fatalities due to car crashes compared with 2023. Slightly more than half of the fatalities are drivers, followed by pedestrians, passengers, and cyclists. The most affected population is between 50 and 64, with the highest driver and pedestrian fatalities.
Middlesex, Monmouth, and Atlantic Counties averaged 52 fatalities each, a solid 22 fatalities more than the average of deaths for the entire state. This is likely due to State Highway 40 (Atlantic County), State Highway 18 (Monmouth County), and the New Jersey Turnpike (Middlesex County). Although there are many highways, these see increased traffic at higher speeds than others.
Potential Reasons for the Increase in Deadly Crashes
People Driving Too Fast
Speeding can lead to perilous, life-taking accidents. Many people do not know that speed limits are set by the engineers who plan and build the roads. They place a speed limit at the safest rate of speed for that particular section of road based on factors such as visibility, traffic flow, concentration of population, and others. It is not an arbitrary decision to control drivers but a well-thought-out calculation created to protect drivers and pedestrians. Driving at a speed can cause a driver to lose control. The results can be deadly unless the driver has been specially trained (such as first responders).
Frustration Behind the Wheel
Besides speeding, New Jersey has a road rage problem. Reckless driving and road rage comprise a large percentage of road fatalities. According to transportation officials, almost 75% of fatalities in New Jersey this year were caused by aggressive or careless driving, making it number one in the country. Additionally, New Jersey drivers have received more citations for speeding, aggressive driving, or careless driving than in 43 states.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) views road rage and reckless driving as separate issues that, unfortunately, lead to similar results. Aggressive driving is more reckless in nature: tailgating, driving slowly on purpose, preventing a vehicle from merging or passing, etc. Road rage is more serious as it is a violent act or intent to cause harm, such as brake checking to cause an accident, intending to drive the other person off of the road, or using weapons such as guns, knives, or other implements such as a tire iron or baseball bat.
Diverted Attention on the Roads
Distracted driving is a common cause of accidents. It refers to any activity that diverts attention from driving, undermining a driver’s ability to react to road conditions and potential hazards. Whether a driver is on their phone, having a snack, checking their GPS, putting on make-up, or texting, their eyes are not on the road, which is deadly. Sometimes, the simple act of daydreaming can cause a driver’s attention to be taken off the road for a split second, which is just enough time to cause an accident. Distracted driving is the number one cause of car accidents in New Jersey.
Impaired Driving: A Preventable Tragedy
Impaired driving is a major cause of vehicle casualties, whether it is due to impairment by drugs, alcohol, or prescription medications. According to the DWI/DUI information provided on SafeHome.org, 26% of fatalities on the road in New Jersey in 2023 were caused by drinking and driving. That same year, there were 11,596 DUI/DWI arrests. Impaired driving can cause exaggerated maneuvers, failure to yield, altered perception, and slowed reflexes.
Operating Vehicles Without Enough Sleep
Drowsy driving is also dangerous. In 2023, there were almost 700 deaths nationwide due to drowsy drivers. These accidents tend to occur between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. or in the late afternoon and are seen most frequently on rural roads or highways. Drowsy driving can impair judgment and control of the vehicle during “micro-sleeps”, the two or three-second period when the driver nods off. Lack of restful sleep, stress, illness, medication side effects, and general fatigue are the primary causes.
Road Issues Beyond Drivers’ Control
While driver behavior is a critical factor in road safety, the design and maintenance of roads are equally important. Missing or faded signage or road markings can confuse drivers. Inadequate notice of road construction is a prime example. Everyone seems to have that one intersection where there always seems to be an accident. Poorly designed intersections or faulty timers on traffic lights can cause accidents. Roads without shoulders with sharp curves and blind spots are particularly dicey for drivers unfamiliar with the road. A lack of pedestrian crosswalks and bike lanes forces non-motorized traffic to share the road with cars and trucks. Poor road maintenance, such as potholes, cracked pavement, and uneven surfaces, can cause motorists to lose control while driving. Road drainage or untreated icy roads cause them to become slick and are hazardous for drivers.
Traffic-Jammed Roadways
As time passes, more and more cars are on the roads, which causes heavy congestion in more areas than ever before. Traffic jams can be a grind, but what causes accidents is distraction, impatience, and reckless driving. Everyone wants to get where they are going as quickly as possible, and that can lead to poor decision-making.
Mastering Safety Measures to Avoid Fatal Accidents on New Jersey Roads
Everybody loves a good road trip, but before you load up the luggage and set up the snacks, there are some tips to keep you and others safe. These apply to your daily commute as much as they do to long drives across the state or through New Jersey on trips to your final destination elsewhere.
- Driving defensively is the best habit to exercise while on the road. Keeping your vehicle at a safe distance from those around you while limiting distractions and obeying all traffic laws will go a long way. Avoiding confrontation with other drivers or being courteous (even when it isn’t reciprocated) are excellent defensive driving techniques.
- Maintaining your vehicle regularly can keep you and others safer on the road because it prevents mechanical breakdowns. Scheduled maintenance such as fluid levels (brakes, power steering, coolant, wiper fluid, and oil) and checking spark plugs, air filters, drive belts, and brake pads can prevent any mechanical problems before they happen.
- Using a seatbelt is a no-brainer. There is no other way to ride more safely than when you are buckled in. Car seats are also a must, but they work best when they are correctly installed and the right kind of seat for the height and weight of the child.
- Don’t drive impaired. If you are going to have a fun night out, plan accordingly. Impaired driving can cost you or someone else their life. Ride services or naming a designated driver are great ways to celebrate while staying safe. Avoid driving after taking medications that could make you sleepy or confused.
- Always check the weather forecast, not just for your area but along your driving route.
- Give yourself plenty of time to travel and take frequent breaks to stretch and move around a little, especially if you are tired.
- Keep calm and drive on. When you encounter batches of heavy traffic, stay calm and relaxed. Getting stressed out will not get you moving any faster and could ruin your drive in more ways than one.
Did You Lose Someone in a Deadly Crash in New Jersey?
Wrongful death claims in New Jersey provide a way for families to seek financial justice for the preventable loss of a loved one in fatal car accidents. The family must prove the defendant was negligent, which directly caused an accident that caused a fatality. They must also prove the death harmed the deceased’s family both economically and emotionally. When successful, these claims allow surviving loved ones to sue the at-fault driver for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering in addition to economic damages such as funeral costs and loss of income that would otherwise be provided by the deceased.
Cohen & Riechelson Takes New Jersey Car Crash Victims and their Families to Heart, with the Law on Our Side
Suppose you have questions about seeking damages for injuries and damages resulting from a car accident in New Jersey. In that case, you must seek legal counsel immediately. The statute of limitations on personal injury or wrongful death suits is two years from the accident date. You need an experienced attorney who can investigate exactly what happened and compile the necessary evidence to support your claim. At Cohen & Riechelson, our attorneys have successfully negotiated hundreds of cases with insurance companies and have secured excellent results. Many times, insurance adjusters will offer a less-than-fair settlement, and it is our job to ensure that doesn’t happen to you. Our firm will protect your rights as we represent you while litigating your case in court or negotiating for maximum compensation.
If you have been in an accident or lost a loved one in a deadly car crash in New Jersey and have questions about how we can help you in a personal injury or wrongful death case, call us today at (609) 528-2596 or contact us online. We are pleased to provide you with a free review of your case and to discuss your path forward with the law on your side.
