The numbers are in, and New Jersey State Police show an increase in traffic fatalities for the second year in a row in 2015. In all, 562 people lost their lives in 523 separate incidents last year in the Garden State alone. While this increase is partially a byproduct of more cars on the road thanks to lower gas prices and a higher employment rate, driver behavior and careless actions continue to cause most crashes on New Jersey’s deadliest roads.
What are the trends with New Jersey’s deadliest roads?
Overall, 2014’s top deadliest roads saw a decrease in the number of fatal motor vehicle accidents in 2015.
Both the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) and the Garden State Parkway (Route 444) saw 23 deaths in 2014, tying for a record no one wants — the deadliest road in the state.
Both still saw double digit death tolls in 2015, and the Turnpike remained the deadliest road in New Jersey. The Parkway, however, fell to No. 4 on the list. Other highways that saw a decrease in traffic fatalities in 2015 include:
- Route 1
- Route 47
- Route 35
- I-295
- Route 9
At the same time, other well-traveled roadways saw an increase in fatal accidents in 2015. This includes:
- Route 30
- Route 130
- Route 33
- Route 18
- Route 55
- Route 3
- I-287
How many people die on the deadliest highways in New Jersey?
After seeing 23 fatalities on I-95/New Jersey Turnpike alone in 2014, police doubled down on their efforts to curb speeding, distracted driving and other hazards on this 120-plus mile toll road. While fatality accidents did fall in 2015, it remains the deadliest road in the state, with 18 deaths in 2015.
Other deadly roads saw the following fatalities in 2015:
- Route 130: This U.S. highway saw 12 fatalities, up from ten in 2014.
- Route 30: This highway also saw 12 traffic deaths in 2015, twice as many as in 2014.
- Garden State Parkway: The Parkway saw only ten deaths in 2015, down from 23.
- I-80: This interstate saw nine deaths in 2015, unchanged from the previous year.
- I-287: Eight people died on this interstate in 2015, one more than the year before.
- Route 9: Eight people lost their lives in Route 9 crashes during 2015, down from 14 in 2014.
- I-78, Route 40 and Route 22: All of these roadways saw seven deaths in 2015, matching their 2014 totals.
- Route 55: Seven people died on Route 55 in 2015; six fatal crashes occurred there in 2014.
- Route 3: While only three people died on Route 3 in 2014, seven lost their lives last year.
- Route 33: Route 33 also saw seven deaths in 2015, more than double the 2014 total.
- Route 18: Seven people died on route 18 in 2015, up from just one in 2014.
As you can see, there are quite a few deadly roads in our state. If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries in a crash on any New Jersey roads due to the careless actions of another driver, you may be eligible to collect compensation for a wide range of damages. Call Cordisco & Saile LLC today at 215-642-2335 to learn more about your legal options.
