As a commuter in New Jersey, many drivers witness car accidents on several of the heavily traveled roadways. According to the 2020 New Jersey Department of Transportation report, 190,783 motor vehicle accidents occurred that year alone.
While this number may not come as a surprise, some drivers might wonder how New Jersey ranks compared to the rest of the country.
New Jersey drivers like to travel fast
New Jersey drivers are anxious to get places quickly and have many options to use large interstate highways to get there. These wide roads with high-speed limits make it easy for drivers to travel at excessive speeds. Some studies rank the state in the top five for drivers receiving speeding tickets.
Distracted driving is a top concern
According to a study by Rowan University, distracted driving is the state’s number one cause of auto accidents. While distracted driving causes the majority of collisions in numerous states, New Jersey nearly tops the list for the percentage of accidents caused by electronics, eating, and other forms of distraction.
The number of fatal accidents points in a different direction
While specific reports point to areas needing improvement, some studies show that New Jersey ranks as a state with better drivers overall. So while speeding and distracted driving are problem areas, drivers have a lower chance of being in a fatal accident. Each report references different statistics, so consider reviewing all the data before drawing a conclusion about the quality of New Jersey drivers.
Staying safe on the roads is the responsibility of all New Jersey drivers. Slowing down and paying more attention to the roadways may push the state higher up the list of the country’s best drivers.