New Jersey is known for many things: the Atlantic City Boardwalk, endless pristine beaches and nostalgic diners. Unfortunately, it is also known to its residents as a dangerous place to drive.
In March of 2022, a young man suffered severe injuries when he fell in the path of a motorist who was doing donuts. He suffered a brain injury, fractured skull, severe body trauma and two broken hips in the incident. It happened in Manhattan, but the driver was from New Jersey.
Motor vehicle crashes are also increasing
According to statistical data, the first nine months of 2021 saw a rise in vehicle crashes compared with the same period in 2020. Approximately 500 people died from crash injuries in the first three quarters of 2021. The figure marks a 19.2% increase from the prior year.
Reckless driving is a top cause of crashes
An associate with AAA MidAtlantic directly connects the rise in crashes to the increase in reckless driving. She cites the following as leading causes of motor vehicle accidents in New Jersey:
- Speeding
- Driving while impaired by alcohol
- Driving while impaired by illegal substances
- Distracted driving
The AAA representative also warns motorists to pay close attention when they take to New Jersey roads because “their safety really is in their own hands.”
For the record, traffic fatalities across the entire nation also rose in 2021 (from 2020) by an estimated 12%, making this a national issue.
Please be careful on our roads. It’s also important to learn more about your legal options if a reckless driver harms you or a loved one in a motor vehicle crash.
