Middlesex County, crisscrossed by some of the busiest highways in New Jersey, leads the state in the number of fatal traffic crashes and fatalities so far this year.
It should come as no surprise to anyone who has struggled through traffic in the county that Route 1 was the scene of the most fatal crashes in Middlesex County, nine. If you include Route 1 in Union County, that number goes up to 13.
Those are some of the statistics in the most recent New Jersey State Police Fatal Accident Investigation Unit report so far in 2024.
Route 1 from Plainsboro at the Mercer County border to Linden is a nightmare for motorists at all hours of the day, every day of the year.
Even at two hours into the new year there was a fatality on Route 1 in Plainsboro. And the latest was on Nov. 4 in Edison.
Earlier this year North Brunswick joined Edison, South Brunswick and New Jersey State Police in an effort to reduce traffic-related deaths and enhance road safety on Route 1.
As part of the initiative, police are collaborating with the other law enforcement agencies to intensify enforcement measures targeting reckless driving, distracted driving and speeding. By pooling resources and expertise, the law enforcement agencies aim to crack down on hazardous behaviors that endanger motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.
In August, South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka implemented a crash reduction plan called STOP – Stopping, Traffic, Obstacle, Problems.
“We are taking an aggressive approach with adding additional officers specifically targeting areas of concern,” the chief said.
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The action came after the South Brunswick Police Traffic Safety Bureau conducted a review of all fatal crashes in the township in the past two years.
The study identified that the cause in 31% of the fatal crashes was speed, 25% was failure to stop at a red light or stop sign, 19% was drunken driving and 19% was distracted driving. In addition, 19% was not wearing a seatbelt, 13% was unsafe lane change, 6% was reckless driving and 6% was driver fatigue/medical.
“These deaths are preventable, but drivers need to take action,” said South Brunswick Traffic Safety Lt. Gary Holstend. “Simply wearing a seatbelt or stopping at a red light can make all the difference. In South Brunswick, there is 7 miles of Route 1 with 12 intersections with traffic signals, drivers must follow the traffic signal. We are going to focus on the intersections, distracted driving and speed. This is your warning.”
Central NJ deadliest roads
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Route 1, 13 fatal crashes (Middlesex and Union counties)
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Route 9, 9 fatal crashes (Middlesex and Union)
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Route 27, 6 fatal crashes (Middlesex and Union)
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I-287, 6 fatal crashes (Somerset and Middlesex)
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I-78, 4 fatal crashes (Somerset and Union)
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Garden State Parkway, 4 fatal crashes (Middlesex and Union)
Central NJ fatal crashes by county
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Middlesex, 51 (1st in New Jersey’s 21 counties)
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Union, 29 (10th in state)
In all, New Jersey has had 569 fatal crashes with 600 fatalities. Atlantic County was second to Middlesex with 48 fatal crashes and Cape May County had the fewest fatal crashes, 7.
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Central NJ fatal pedestrian crashes by county
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Middlesex, 19 (2nd in New Jersey)
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Union, 10 (tied for 9th in state)
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Hunterdon, 2 (tied for 17th)
Middlesex County NJ fatal crashes by town
Somerset County NJ fatal crashes by town
Hunterdon County NJ fatal crashes by town
Union County NJ fatal crashes by town
NJ fatal crashes: a steady decline
Despite a growth in the state’s population, the number of fatal crashes has continued to drop in New Jersey.
In 1968, according to the State Police, there were 1,208 fatal crashes with 1,358 fatalities.
The number of fatal crashes has declined steadily, reaching a low in 2015 of 542 crashes. That number remained steady through 2020, but spiked in 2021 to 697, then went down to 574 in 2023.
Contributing: Staff writer Susan Loyer
Email: mdeak@MyCentralJersey.com
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ traffic deaths: Central Jersey fatal car, pedestrian crash data