According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it turns out they’re near the bottom of the list. The NHTSA reported more than 32,000 deaths from vehicle-related incidents in 2014[1], and New Jersey is responsible for more than its fair share of those fatalities. According to the research, New Jersey has the second most deaths per driver in the United States at .62 per 1,000 drivers, only beaten out by Delaware at .73 per 1,000 drivers.
556 people died in vehicle-related collisions in 2014 in New Jersey according to the NHTSA, and alcohol was a plurality cause of those fatalities. 163, or 29 percent, of those deaths involved at least one driver operating their vehicle under the influence. Driving while intoxicated or impaired is a major issue across the United States, with approximately 1.5 million DUI arrests every year according to Statistic Brain[2], and at least in New Jersey the numbers appear to be getting worse. 15 more people died in crashes where alcohol was involved in 2014 compared to 2013, an increase of more than 10 percent.
SmartAsset released a list earlier this month breaking down the states with the worst drivers. They compared population size, fatalities, DUI arrests, Google trends on speeding tickets and number of insured drivers. Despite the fact that almost 90 percent of drivers are insured in New Jersey, they were calculated to be the fourth worst drivers in the country, only behind Florida, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. Along with the state’s terrifying fatalities per 1,000 drivers’ statistic, almost 7 people per 1,000 drivers were arrested for a DUI in New Jersey in 2014.
Even the most skilled and cautious of drivers are at risk of being involved in a motor vehicle collision in the right – or wrong, depending on how you phrase it – conditions. These chances only increase when other drivers on the road are reckless, intoxicated, impaired or just downright bad at driving. Whether the vehicle that caused the collision was a tiny passenger car or a massive 18-wheeler, it’s important to seek qualified legal representation to help cover any costs you may incur through medical bills, property damage, etc.
At Levinson Axelrod, we devote our practice to defending the rights of victims injured through the negligence of others. With more than 75 years of experience and over $1 billion secured in verdicts and settlements, you can rely on us to help you construct a plan that will best fit your needs. Fill out the form on our website to request a free case consultation, or call us at (732) 440-3089 to set up a meeting with one of our New Jersey attorneys.
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