LAKEWOOD, N.J. — Residents and drivers in Lakewood face a significantly higher lifetime risk of dying in a traffic crash than the average New Jersey resident, according to a newly released traffic fatality analysis that examined crash data nationwide. The report found Lakewood drivers and passengers face roughly a 1 in 165 chance of dying in a car crash during their lifetime — about 14% higher than the statewide average.
The study, released in April 2026 by Injury Attorney of Dallas, analyzed fatal crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration covering the most recent five-year period. Researchers calculated lifetime fatal crash probabilities using actuarial methods similar to those used by the National Safety Council.
Over the past five years, 27 people died in traffic crashes in Lakewood, averaging 5.4 deaths annually, according to the report. The township’s annual road fatality rate reached 7.76 deaths per 100,000 residents, exceeding New Jersey’s statewide rate of 6.79 per 100,000.
UPDATE: One Lakewood resident said the report’s numbers are flawed:
But… something didn’t add up. You write “Over the past five years, 27 people died in traffic crashes in Lakewood, averaging 5.4 deaths annually…. The township’s annual road fatality rate reached 7.76 deaths per 100,000 residents.”
You see, 5.4 is less than 7.76. We all know that much. Again Lakewood’s average fatality is 5.4. But you say the average rate is 7.76. Lakewood, being well over 100k in population size would have to have more than 7.76 if your rate was correct.
For your rate to be correct, Lakewood’s population has to be about 69,600. That’s laughable. We blew past that 20 years ago.
But I know where you got your mistake from.
You see on the census website, when searching for Lakewood the first result that pops up from NJ is called “Lakewood CDP, New Jersey”. It’s not the Township of Lakewood itself, it’s just a small part of it which the census uses to show where the highest concentration of population is in the town. And wouldn’t you know it, the estimated 5 year population for 2024 is approx 69,600. See DP05: ACS Demographic and … – Census Bureau Table .
But you should have clicked on “Lakewood township, New Jersey”. That shows the actual population for the whole town. The real 5 year estimate is 139,000. See DP05: ACS Demographic and … – Census Bureau Table So your numbers are off by almost 50% !!
The actual rate of fatalities per 100,00 is 3.88 not 7.76!! that’s way below the state average of 6.79.
The actual lifetime probability is 0.31, a far cry from your 0.61 and well below the state average of 0.53.
Lakewood is actually safer by far!
Fast-Growing Township Shows Elevated Risk
The report identified Lakewood as an outlier within one of the country’s safest states for drivers. New Jersey ranked 47th out of 50 states for lifetime fatal crash risk overall, yet Lakewood’s local numbers resembled rates more commonly associated with higher-risk regions of the country.
Researchers estimated Lakewood residents carry a 0.61% lifetime probability of dying in a car crash, compared with 0.53% statewide.
The analysis attributed the higher local risk to several factors, including rapid population growth and roadway congestion. Lakewood has become one of New Jersey’s fastest-growing municipalities in recent years, increasing pressure on infrastructure originally designed for a smaller population.
The township also experiences substantial pedestrian activity across residential neighborhoods and commercial corridors, conditions that can increase the severity of crashes when they occur.
Study Used National Fatal Crash Data
Researchers examined fatal crash statistics across all 50 states and applied a standardized formula to estimate lifetime crash death probabilities. The calculations used the latest available five-year fatality totals and average annual death rates relative to population size.
The results were presented as “1 in X” odds to make the findings easier for readers to understand.
For Lakewood, the data showed:
- 27 total traffic deaths from 2020 through 2024
- Average annual fatalities: 5.4
- Annual death rate: 7.76 per 100,000 residents
- Lifetime probability of dying in a crash: 0.61%
- Lifetime odds: 1 in 165
By comparison, New Jersey recorded 3,242 traffic deaths during the same five-year period, averaging 648.4 fatalities annually statewide.
Key Points
• Lakewood residents face a 1 in 165 lifetime risk of dying in a traffic crash
• The township’s fatal crash rate exceeds the New Jersey statewide average by roughly 14%
• Researchers linked the elevated risk partly to rapid growth and increased roadway pressure
Local Conditions May Contribute to Fatalities
The report suggested Lakewood’s growth has intensified traffic volume and congestion throughout the township, particularly on roads not originally designed to accommodate current demand.
Heavy pedestrian activity may also contribute to more severe crash outcomes. Unlike highway collisions alone, pedestrian-involved crashes often carry a higher likelihood of fatal injury, especially in densely traveled commercial and residential areas.
Aaron Herbert of Injury Attorney of Dallas said statewide safety rankings can sometimes mask serious risks at the local level.
“When people see that New Jersey is one of the safest states in the country for drivers, they tend to assume their own town is safe by extension,” Herbert said in commentary released alongside the study.
“The Lakewood numbers show that’s not always how it works. A 14% higher lifetime risk than the state average is not a rounding error — it’s the difference between a fatality happening in your neighborhood versus a town an hour away.”
Broader Focus on Traffic Safety
Traffic safety remains a growing concern in communities experiencing rapid population expansion and heavier roadway use. Local officials across New Jersey have increasingly faced pressure to address congestion, pedestrian safety and infrastructure capacity as municipalities continue growing.
The report did not evaluate specific intersections, roadway designs or individual crash causes inside Lakewood. Instead, it focused on broader statistical trends tied to long-term fatal crash rates.
Researchers said the goal of the study was to show how localized risks can differ substantially even within states considered relatively safe overall for motorists.
The full dataset and methodology were published by Injury Attorney of Dallas using National Highway Traffic Safety Administration records.
At this time, no new local policy proposals or roadway safety initiatives were announced in connection with the report.