States › New Jersey › 1997
New Jersey in 1997
Deaths 775Fatal crashes 700Per 100,000 —US deaths 42,013
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 1997.
In 1997, 775 people died in 700 fatal crashes in New Jersey.
The death toll fell 5% from 814 in 1996 to 775 in 1997.
New Jersey accounted for 1.8% of the 42,013 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
24.3% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
32% of the crashes happened between noon to 6pm; Sunday was the most common day.
Compared with 1996 and the nation
| Measure | New Jersey 1997 | New Jersey 1996 | United States 1997 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 775 | 814 | 42,013 |
| Fatal crashes | 700 | 754 | 37,324 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 24% | 22% | 30% |
Counties in 1997
Every county with a fatal crash in 1997, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essex County | 65 | 72 | 8.2 | 470 |
| Bergen County | 53 | 59 | 6.0 | 368 |
| Ocean County | 49 | 57 | 8.6 | 423 |
| Monmouth County | 52 | 55 | 8.5 | 413 |
| Burlington County | 48 | 53 | 11.1 | 445 |
| Middlesex County | 48 | 52 | 5.8 | 532 |
| Atlantic County | 44 | 48 | 17.2 | 385 |
| Gloucester County | 39 | 48 | 15.4 | 362 |
| Camden County | 42 | 47 | 8.8 | 448 |
| Hudson County | 42 | 45 | 6.1 | 234 |
| Union County | 30 | 31 | 5.2 | 302 |
| Cumberland County | 27 | 29 | 18.6 | 250 |
| Passaic County | 22 | 25 | 4.7 | 262 |
| Morris County | 23 | 24 | 4.6 | 234 |
| Cape May County | 21 | 24 | 25.6 | 114 |
| Mercer County | 22 | 23 | 5.9 | 266 |
| Somerset County | 21 | 23 | 6.4 | 196 |
| Warren County | 12 | 17 | 15.2 | 119 |
| Salem County | 16 | 16 | 24.3 | 145 |
| Hunterdon County | 13 | 14 | 10.6 | 75 |
| Sussex County | 11 | 13 | 8.8 | 107 |
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 1997?
775 people in 700 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1997 file.
Which county in New Jersey had the most crash deaths in 1997?
Essex County with 72 deaths in 65 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1997 compare with 1996 in New Jersey?
775 deaths against 814 in 1996 (+-5%). Nationally the 1997 total was 42,013.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1997 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.