In New Jersey, state officials make it a point to track auto accident data to try and make the roads safer. Knowing how many people were injured and lost their lives in a crash as well as the type of crash it was can be useful toward making changes to enhance safety. Recently, the New Jersey State Police released the numbers for road fatalities in 2025.
The numbers are valuable to law enforcement, government entities, and people who take the road as drivers, passengers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Although there were positive signs in the Garden State in 2025, there are lingering dangers to be aware of.
Overall road deaths, especially pedestrians, declined in 2025
Statistically, 2025 was safer on New Jersey roadways than 2024. This is notable given that the number of fatalities in 2024 was the highest it had been since 1988. Pedestrian deaths dropped by 27%. For other types of road deaths, the reduction was 10%. In total, there were 169 deaths on state roadways for the year. In 2024, there were 230 road deaths. In 2023, there were 171 deaths.
Bergen County had 22 pedestrian deaths in 2024. They saw a reduction to seven such deaths in 2025. Monmouth County had 21 pedestrian fatalities in 2024. In 2025, there were six deaths. For Atlantic County, there was a 40% drop, Middlesex County had a drop of one-third, and Essex County saw a 19% drop.
Ocean County, Camden County, and Burlington County saw increases. Around half of the pedestrian fatalities in 2024 occurred with people walking while in crosswalks. To try and educate drivers about the importance of safety, former Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law that required drivers to learn how to share the road with bicyclists and pedestrians.
Statistics aside, people on New Jersey roads must still be cautious
People on New Jersey roads, especially pedestrians, should remain wary even if there was a statistical improvement in the number of fatal crashes that happened from one year to the next. These numbers tend to fluctuate and even if the overall safety statistics are better, people are at risk of injuries in an auto accident. Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable to serious injuries because they are not accorded the same protection a person in an automobile has.
After an accident, there will be medical costs, lost time at work, the possibility of permanent damage, and an uncertain future. When there is a fatality, the family needs to determine how they will move forward personally, financially, and emotionally. For these cases, it is imperative to gather evidence and understand the options by having guidance from those experienced in all forms of motor vehicle accidents.
