Travelers in New Jersey can look forward to a safer New Year’s Eve this year, as a new study reveals that the state ranks as the fourth safest in the United States for driving during the holiday. According to research conducted by the personal injury law firm AutoAccident.com, New Jersey boasts a significantly lower traffic fatality rate during the New Year period when compared to the national average.
New Year’s Traffic Safety Rankings
The study analyzed traffic fatality data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, focusing on accidents that occurred on December 31 and January 1 over the past decade. The findings indicate that New Jersey recorded just 3.01 deaths per one million residents during this time, which is nearly 57% lower than the national average of 6.99 fatalities.
Over the last ten years, the Garden State reported a total of only 28 fatalities on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day combined. Of these incidents, approximately 57.14% involved drivers, placing New Jersey 30th in the nation for driver fatalities. Meanwhile, 35.71% of the total fatalities were pedestrians, ranking the state 9th for pedestrian-related deaths. This statistic highlights the importance of remaining vigilant, especially in pedestrian-friendly areas.
The Regional Safety Landscape
The study revealed that northeastern states generally performed well in terms of road safety during the New Year period. Alongside New Jersey, New Hampshire ranked third, New York seventh, and Massachusetts tenth in the top ten safest states for New Year’s driving.
Nationwide, last year’s estimates from the National Safety Council suggested that approximately 179 people could lose their lives during the New Year holiday period, with alcohol impairment identified as the primary cause. While New Jersey’s road safety statistics are encouraging, authorities emphasize the importance of making responsible choices when celebrating.
As residents prepare for the festivities, they are reminded to plan ahead and adopt safe driving practices to help maintain these positive statistics as they head into 2026.
