Trenton, NJ – If you live in New Jersey or have ever driven through New Jersey, you might have just raised your eyebrows, but a new study actually suggests New Jersey is the safest state for drivers in America.
No, really. This is what they had to say.
New Jersey ranks as the safest state for drivers in America, according to a new analysis by The Schiller Kessler Group that examined federal traffic safety data from all 50 states.
The study awarded New Jersey the nation’s best composite score of 6.0 after analyzing fatal crash rates, traffic deaths per capita, speeding-related fatalities, and alcohol-related fatal crashes. Massachusetts and Minnesota tied for second with scores of 11.25.
New Jersey led in multiple safety categories
Rather than dominating a single category, New Jersey performed consistently well across all four metrics used in the study. The state ranked sixth for fatal crash rate, fifth for traffic deaths per 100,000 residents, 11th for speeding-related fatalities, and second for alcohol-related fatal crashes.
New Jersey also recorded the lowest percentage of fatal crashes involving impaired drivers in the country. According to the study, alcohol was a factor in 21.8% of the state’s fatal crashes, well below the national average of 29.8%.
Researchers said the combination of roadway design, traffic enforcement, and transportation infrastructure contributed to the state’s strong performance.
Northeast dominates safest driving rankings
Six of the nation’s 10 safest states are located in the Northeast, with New York ranking fourth, Rhode Island sixth, Maryland seventh, New Hampshire eighth, and Pennsylvania ninth.
The study found the safest states consistently reported traffic fatality rates well below the national average of 11.5 deaths per 100,000 residents. Massachusetts posted the nation’s lowest fatality rate at 5.09 deaths per 100,000 residents, while New York ranked third at 5.54.
At the opposite end of the rankings, Montana was identified as the nation’s most dangerous state for drivers with a composite score of 46.5, creating a 40.5-point gap between the safest and least safe states.
Summer remains the deadliest time on the road
Researchers noted that despite New Jersey’s strong ranking, the country is currently in its most dangerous period for traffic fatalities.
According to the study, the stretch between Memorial Day and Labor Day—often referred to as the “100 Deadliest Days”—typically sees a spike in crashes involving teen drivers, vacation travel, speeding, and impaired driving. Fatal crashes historically peak during August, September, and October.
The Schiller Kessler Group based its rankings on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System and 2024 U.S. Census Bureau population estimates. Researchers analyzed 36,297 fatal crashes and 39,254 traffic deaths nationwide, ranking each state across four categories before calculating a composite score.
New Jersey’s top ranking suggests the state continues to outperform much of the nation on key roadway safety measures, even while carrying some of the country’s highest traffic volumes. The findings also highlight the continued importance of enforcement, responsible driving, and roadway safety initiatives during the busiest travel months of the year.
