New Jersey roads claimed 1,596 lives in fatal accidents between 2018 and 2020, making highway safety a critical concern for anyone traveling in the Garden State. When you commute on these roads daily, understanding which routes pose the greatest risks could literally save your life.
A comprehensive analysis by MoneyGeek examined nearly 800 highways across New Jersey’s 85,000 miles of roadway to identify the deadliest stretches. The research considered several factors to determine which highways pose the greatest threat to motorists.
While Morris County isn’t home to the most dangerous road in the state, commuters traveling to and from Morristown should be particularly cautious on Interstate 80, which ranks sixth among the state’s deadliest highways.
10 dangerous stretches in New Jersey
If your daily commute includes any of these roadways, you may want to consider alternate routes or exercise extreme caution when traveling these dangerous corridors. The roads are in order of proximity to Morristown:
- I-80 Exit 55B to Exit 60 (closest to Morristown)
- US-1 Garden Street to US Highway 22
- I-95 Exit 13 to Exit 14
- I-95 Exit 74 to the Vince Lombardi Travel Plaza
- SR-21 Miller Street to 4th Avenue
- SR-27 Seminary Avenue to Grant Street
- SR-27 La Rose Avenue to S. Adelaide Avenue
- US-9 Spring Valley Road to Old Mill Road
- US-322 Village Parkway to E. Garwood Avenue
- US-40 West End Avenue to Noah’s Road (most dangerous and furthest from Morristown)
These stretches have proven particularly hazardous, with US-40 recording 11 fatal accidents during the study period alone.
Deadly behaviors lead to deadly consequences
When you’re behind the wheel in New Jersey, your choices matter tremendously. MoneyGeek found the top three causes of fatal accidents during the period were as follows:
- Drunk driving contributed to 22.5% of deadly crashes
- Speeding followed closely at 20.5%
- Distracted driving was involved in 19.6%
Middlesex County recorded the most fatal crashes at 151, many occurring on I-95 and involving speeding or drunk driving.
Dangerous driving impacts are far-reaching
Your location significantly impacts your financial burden beyond the risk of injury. If you live in Newark, you’ll pay around $1,775 annually for car insurance, while Jersey City residents pay approximately $1,573. But the true cost of accidents goes far beyond insurance premiums.
When someone else’s negligence injures you, you may face overwhelming medical bills, lost wages and long-term rehabilitation costs. The physical and emotional trauma can be life-altering, affecting your ability to work, enjoy family activities or even perform basic daily tasks.
The consequences of dangerous driving don’t just affect you – they ripple through families and communities. When you drive safely on New Jersey highways, you protect yourself and everyone sharing the road.
