Middlesex County, which straddles some of New Jersey’s busiest highways, leads the nation in the number of traffic accidents and fatalities so far this year.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who has struggled through the county’s traffic that Route 1 has been the scene of the worst accidents in Middlesex County, nine. When you include Route 1 in Union County, that number rises to 13.
These are some of the statistics in the latest report of the New Jersey State Police Fatal Accident Investigation Unit so far in 2024.
Route 1 from Plainsboro on the Mercer County border to Linden is a nightmare for motorists at all hours of the day, every day of the year.
Even two hours into the new year there was a fatality on Route 1 in Plainsboro. And the latest was Nov. 4 at Edison.
Earlier this year North Brunswick joined Edison, South Brunswick and New Jersey state police in an effort to reduce traffic-related deaths and improve road safety on Route 1.
As part of this program, the police are working with other law enforcement agencies to strengthen enforcement measures against reckless driving, distracted driving and speeding. By pooling resources and expertise, law enforcement agencies aim to combat dangerous behavior that endangers motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.
In August, South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka launched a crash reduction program called STOP – Stop – Stopping, Traffic, Obstruction, Problems.
“We are taking a strong approach by adding officers who are targeted specifically at areas of concern,” said the king.
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The move came after the South Brunswick Police Traffic Safety Bureau conducted a review of all fatal crashes in the township over the past two years.
The study revealed that the cause of 31% of accidents was speeding, 25% failure to stop at a red light or stop sign, 19% was driving under the influence and 19% was distracted. In addition, 19% were not wearing a seat belt, 13% were not safe to change lanes, 6% were driving recklessly and 6% were not being tired/medicated.
“This death is avoidable, but drivers must take action,” said Lt. Gary Holstend of South Brunswick Traffic Safety. “Just wearing a seat belt or stopping at a red light can make a difference. In South Brunswick, there are 7 kilometers of route 1 with 12 intersections with traffic signals, drivers must follow the traffic signal. We will focus on intersections, distracted driving and speeding. This is your warning.”
Central NJ has the most deadly roads
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Route 1, 13 fatal accidents (Middlesex and Union counties)
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Route 9, 9 fatal accidents (Middlesex and Union)
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Route 27, 6 fatal accidents (Middlesex and Union)
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287, 6 fatal accidents (Somerset and Middlesex)
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78, 4 fatal accidents (Somerset and Union)
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Garden State Parkway, 4 fatal accidents (Middlesex and Union)
Central NJ dangerous accidents in the region
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Middlesex, 51 (first of 21 New Jersey counties)
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Union, 29 (10 in the state)
In all, New Jersey had 569 fatal crashes and 600 fatalities. Atlantic County was second to Middlesex with 48 fatal accidents and Cape May County had the fewest fatal accidents, 7.
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Central NJ fatal pedestrian crashes in the region
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Middlesex, 19 (2nd in New Jersey)
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Union, 10 (tied for 9th)
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Hunterdon, 2 (tied for 17th)
Middlesex County NJ crash in town
Somerset County NJ crash in town
Hunterdon County NJ collides with the city
Union County NJ dangerous accidents in the city
NJ fatal accidents: a steady decline
Despite the state’s population growth, the number of fatal crashes has continued to decline in New Jersey.
In 1968, according to the State Police, there were 1,208 fatal accidents and 1,358 deaths.
The number of fatal accidents decreased gradually, reaching a low in 2015 at 542 accidents. That number remained stable until 2020, but increased in 2021 to 697, then decreased to 574 in 2023.
Contributing: Staff writer Susan Loyer
Email: mdeak@MyCentralJersey.com
This article appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ traffic deaths: Central Jersey car, pedestrian crash data
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