Road fatalities have been increasing in recent years in New Jersey and across the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently released its fatality statistics through March 2022 and found that the rate is still climbing, with New Jersey having a significantly higher frequency of deaths than the national average. Drivers, passengers, bicyclists and pedestrians should know about this.
New Jersey’s increase in fatal accidents 13% higher than the national numbers
The NHTSA says that the fatality estimates for the first three months of the year are the worst in two decades. For New Jersey, the numbers were 13% higher than the national increase of 7% from the previous year. The latest numbers are through Aug. 19. They show there were 440 road deaths in 2022. At the same point in 2021, there had been 389. For 2020, it was 337. Overall in 2021, there were just under 700 deaths. That was the worst total in 14 years.
This has been an ongoing trend since 2019 when the percentage of fatalities had the highest year-to-year spike since the 1970s. To try and make the roads safer, multiple government-sponsored campaigns were initiated, but they have had limited effect. A primary problem has been speeding.
The national health problem coincided with more drivers exceeding the speed limit. This resulted in a nearly one-quarter increase in fatalities believed to have been due to speeding. Some safety strategies in New Jersey like the safe passing law are believed to be improving the landscape with pedestrians and bicyclists being somewhat safer compared to auto vs. auto fatalities.
After any type of crash, people might need professional advice
These numbers are worrisome. Although New Jersey is trying to formulate and implement plans to help people avoid auto accidents, get to their destinations and return home, the statistics show that the roads are getting more problematic. These numbers focus on fatal crashes, but any accident can change a person’s life even if they survive.
Medical costs, the inability to care for oneself, not being able to earn a living and long-term issues are common. When there is a fatality, the family left behind must think about how they will move forward in every conceivable way. It is important to understand what options are available to recover compensation. Calling for advice from experienced professionals who understand auto collisions may be helpful.
