States › New Jersey › 1986
New Jersey in 1986
Deaths 1,039Fatal crashes 946Per 100,000 —US deaths 46,087
FARS data are based on police crash reports and other sources; the drunk-driving measure is based on the highest BAC of any driver in the crash. Final FARS file for 1986.
In 1986, 1,039 people died in 946 fatal crashes in New Jersey.
The death toll rose 8% from 964 in 1985 to 1,039 in 1986.
New Jersey accounted for 2.3% of the 46,087 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
32.9% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
35% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 1985 and the nation
| Measure | New Jersey 1986 | New Jersey 1985 | United States 1986 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 1,039 | 964 | 46,087 |
| Fatal crashes | 946 | 885 | 41,090 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 33% | 36% | 43% |
Counties in 1986
Every county with a fatal crash in 1986, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 21 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington County | 75 | 87 | 18.3 | 445 |
| Essex County | 78 | 84 | 9.5 | 470 |
| Camden County | 77 | 83 | 15.5 | 448 |
| Middlesex County | 71 | 82 | 9.2 | 532 |
| Bergen County | 67 | 74 | 7.6 | 368 |
| Atlantic County | 68 | 72 | 25.8 | 385 |
| Ocean County | 58 | 61 | 9.2 | 423 |
| Monmouth County | 56 | 59 | 9.1 | 413 |
| Morris County | 47 | 49 | 9.4 | 234 |
| Hudson County | 39 | 44 | 6.0 | 234 |
| Union County | 39 | 42 | 7.1 | 302 |
| Passaic County | 35 | 41 | 7.8 | 262 |
| Mercer County | 37 | 39 | 9.9 | 266 |
| Somerset County | 35 | 38 | 10.6 | 196 |
| Gloucester County | 31 | 38 | 12.2 | 362 |
| Cumberland County | 32 | 34 | 21.8 | 250 |
| Salem County | 23 | 28 | 42.5 | 145 |
| Sussex County | 21 | 22 | 14.9 | 107 |
| Warren County | 21 | 22 | 19.6 | 119 |
| Cape May County | 19 | 22 | 23.4 | 114 |
| Hunterdon County | 17 | 18 | 13.7 | 75 |
Per 100,000 uses the 2024 population estimate for every year, so early-year rates are understated where a county has grown.
Hour of day
Weekday
Questions and answers
How many people died in crashes in New Jersey in 1986?
1,039 people in 946 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1986 file.
Which county in New Jersey had the most crash deaths in 1986?
Burlington County with 87 deaths in 75 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1986 compare with 1985 in New Jersey?
1,039 deaths against 964 in 1985 (+8%). Nationally the 1986 total was 46,087.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1986 national file (accident table); US Census Bureau population estimates (no county estimates before 2000 are used, so no rate is shown for this year). Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.