New Jersey drivers were recognized as some of the safest in the United States, according to a study based on 2013 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. According to the AAA New Jersey public affairs manager, popular misconceptions about the aggressive tendencies of New Jersey drivers do not align with their actual behavior. New Jersey’s high ranking is impressive when considering the state’s large population and significant number of licensed drivers.
The 5 million licensed drivers in New Jersey face some of the strictest graduated license laws in the United States. New Jersey also upholds a full ban on the use of handheld cellphones while driving. Lawmakers’ dedication to safety on the roads was cited as a major reason behind the safe driving statistics in the state. New Jersey’s seat belt rates are also at a significant 90 percent. Additionally, the state achieved excellent rankings for overall traffic fatalities and for failure to obey traffic rules.
One Egg Harbor Township police detective stated that New Jersey likely receives a bad reputation for car safety because there are many out-of-state drivers. New Jersey is one of the most heavily populated states in the country, which leads to significant traffic that can create frustration for out-of-state drivers.
These rankings, however, do not mean that the state is totally free of negligent drivers. New Jersey residents who have sustained injuries as a result of a car accident caused by a distracted, impaired or otherwise negligent motorist may want to have the assistance of a personal injury attorney in seeking compensation from the at-fault driver for medical expenses and other losses that have been sustained.
