NCJ Number
178347
Date Published
1998
Length
45 pages
Annotation
These statistics on traffic fatalities in New Jersey in 1997 and previous years revealed that the 699 fatal motor vehicle accidents occurred in 1997, compared to an average of 716 for the previous 5 years.
Abstract
The total for 1997 was the fourth lowest total since the State began keeping records. Nationwide, the fatality rate reached a historical low of 1.7 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. A total of 24 percent of the New Jersey fatalities had consumed alcohol to some extent; 10.4 percent of all drivers were legally intoxicated. The accidents involved 774 fatalities. The accidents included 42 accidents involving motorcyclists and 42 accidents involving bicyclists. One hundred forty-five pedestrians were killed. The accidents included 41 hit-and-run fatal accidents involving 74 vehicles and the deaths of 3 drivers, 5 passengers, 29 pedestrians, and 4 bicyclists. Straight roads were involved in 54.5 percent of the fatal accidents. A total of 84.3 percent of the fatal accidents occurred during clear weather conditions. Seventy percent of the known drivers were males. Fifty-three tractor-trailers were involved in 53 fatal accidents that resulted in 59 fatalities. Tables, figures, and map