NCJ Number
215796
Date Published
2006
Length
44 pages
Annotation
This report presents statistics on the number, causes, and results of fatal motor vehicle accidents throughout New Jersey in 2005, as compiled by the Fatal Accident Investigation Unit of the Division of State Police.
Abstract
There were 691 fatal motor vehicle accidents in New Jersey in 2005, resulting in 748 deaths, an increase of 7 fatal accidents and 25 fatalities from the previous year. Of the people killed in these accidents 27.6 percent had consumed an alcoholic beverage; 23.1 percent of drivers were legally intoxicated. Sixty-two of the fatal accidents involved 63 motorcycles, and pedalcyclists accounted for 17 fatal accidents. Pedestrian deaths numbered 154. Forty-nine hit-and-run fatal accidents involved 64 vehicles. Of the 1,103 drivers involved in fatal accidents, 49 New Jersey drivers and 3 out-of-State drivers had suspended licenses, and 40 drivers had invalid licenses. Of all fatal accidents, 60.9 percent occurred on straight roads; 85.2 percent occurred during clear weather conditions. Of the known drivers, 71 percent were males. Passenger cars were involved in 55.4 percent of the accidents. Sixty-six tractor-trailers were involved in 55 fatal accidents with 59 fatalities. A graph shows the 20-year trend in fatal accidents in New Jersey. A 20-year trend is also shown for the number of intoxicated drivers involved in fatal accidents. For 2005, the number of fatalities in each victim classification (driver, passenger, pedestrian, or pedalcyclist) is shown by month. For each of the years 2001-2005, the number of accidents, fatalities, and injuries is shown by accident type. The number of fatal accidents by time of day is shown for each of the years 2001-2005. Other data provided pertain to weather conditions, day of occurrence, age of driver and pedestrian victims, sex of pedestrians, alcohol involvement according to manner of collision, the age and sex of drivers, what drivers were doing, what pedestrians were doing, and contributing circumstances. Extensive tables and figures