New Jersey Fatal Truck Accident Statistics
New Jersey reported 562 traffic deaths in 2015, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). While this number is relatively steady over the past few years, it does show a significant decrease from 2006 and 2007 when the totals were over 700. New Jersey is also below the national average at 6.27 deaths per 100,000 population as compared to 10.92 for the US average. The statistics are impressive considering the number of commuters to New York for work.
The number of truck fatalities have also held steady or even decreased slightly over the past several years. Utility trucks are involved in the most truck-related deaths with 49 for 2015. This number is down from 67 in 2011 with an overall steady decline. Deaths involving pickup trucks have remained consistent over the same time frame with 21 in 2011 and 25 in 2015. The number of van-related deaths has declined from 21 in 2011 to 14 in 2015. There was a spike in 2013 when 34 deaths were reported. The number of fatalities involving large truck has also remained fairly consistent with 12 in 2011 and 10 in 2015.
Bergen County reported the most deaths involving a large truck for 2015 with seven. This number is down significantly from the 13 reported in 2014, but it is an increase over prior years. At the same time, it only reported two light truck fatalities.
The counties reporting the highest number of light truck deaths include Passaic, Somerset, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic and Cumberland. Burlington reported 11 deaths for 2015, which was more than double the total in 2014. Gloucester County and Camden County reported seven, which was a slight increase for both counties. Cumberland, Atlantic and Passaic counties all reported six while Somerset had eight light truck deaths. Interesting to note was the fact that of these counties, only Somerset had a decline from the previous year.