New Jersey’s roads were significantly safer last year, after a historically deadly 2024.
State Police data showed traffic fatalities dropped significantly in 2025, with 576 people killed in traffic crashes last year. That’s down about 15% from 2024, when 684 people were killed.
Officials stress that these numbers are preliminary, but the drop met the state’s traffic safety goal and exceeded federal projections, even as more people were on the roads nationwide.
Pedestrian deaths in crashes fell sharply from 230 in 2024 to 173 last year, and cyclist deaths also dipped slightly. Ocean County again led the state in fatalities, followed by Middlesex and Essex Counties. Hunterdon County recorded the fewest traffic deaths.
The progress comes as Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration launched its Target Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate traffic deaths by 2040 with a recently approved plan that focuses on safer roads and vehicles, speed restrictions and better post-crash emergency care.
