Fatal crashes were down nearly 16 percent statewide last year, according to the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety.
Atlantic County was among 15 counties in the state that saw a decrease. Cape May County was among six that had more fatalities last year than in 2024.
Preliminary data shows 100 less fatal crashes in 2025, after 2024 had 647 crashes that resulted in death.
The number of people who died in those crashes – including drivers, passengers, cyclists and pedestrians – dropped by approximately 15 percent, from 684 in 2024 to 582 in 2025.
“The decline in traffic fatalities in New Jersey in 2025 is a clear step in the right direction,” Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in a statement. “Targeted traffic enforcement, driver education, and engineering safety improvements statewide have all made our state’s drivers and pedestrians safer. Our office works tirelessly to keep our residents safe on the roads."
"But there is still more work for us to do to drive down traffic fatalities, as even one traffic fatality is one too many. We will continue to take targeted action to drive down traffic fatalities in New Jersey,” he added.
Pedestrian deaths fell by nearly 24 percent, from 230 to 175. Driver fatalities also decreased by approximately 15 percent, from 350 to 299. Motorcyclist fatalities in 2025 showed an approximate 40 percent decline, down to 72 from the historic high of 120 in 2024.
“While we are encouraged that traffic fatalities in New Jersey declined significantly in 2025, each of those numbers represents a life lost and a family forever changed,” said Michael J. Rizol Jr., director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety. “This decrease shows that our collective efforts are making a difference, but it also reminds us that there is still urgent work to do.”
Nationwide, there was an 8 percent decline in fatalities during the first half of 2025, according to preliminary data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
New Jersey is among the 38 states and territories experiencing a decline in traffic fatalities during that period.
New Jersey saw a decline in fatalities in 15 of its 21 counties, with only Camden, Cape May, Morris, Hudson, Ocean and Salem counties experiencing more fatalities than the previous year.
Ocean County experienced the most traffic fatalities with 63, while Hunterdon County had the fewest at six.
HTS allocated more than $20 million last year to various law enforcement agencies and strategic partners statewide, reinforcing their traffic safety initiatives.
HTS remains committed to implementing a comprehensive highway traffic safety plan that combines high-visibility enforcement mobilization with educational awareness campaigns to maximize impact.
These efforts were coordinated with law enforcement and nonprofit agencies across the state.
