Eric Scott’s Traffic Safety Reminder: Think roads are safer when the ice melts? Think again.

The arrival of spring weather brings ice-free roads and more outdoor activities.

It also brings more crashes.

While drivers may believe that the cold-weather months of December through February – with their snow, sleet, ice, and fog – are the most dangerous times on our roadways, they’re actually not. Crash trends for the years 2019 to 2022 show there are actually fewer crashes resulting in fatalities or serious injuries during the winter months.

It may seem counterintuitive, but, according to NJDOT’s Crash Records Database, 83% of Fatal and Serious Injuries (FSIs) in New Jersey occur on dry roads, 86% happen under clear skies, and 54% take place in daylight. This aligns with the well-documented trend that more than three-quarters of automobile crashes happen within 10 miles of the driver’s home – familiar environments where they are more comfortable and, as a result, less vigilant. In short, when drivers let their guard down, bad things happen.

FSIs start to climb in March, dip slightly in April, and then steadily rise throughout May, June, and July. Statistically, July is the most dangerous month to drive in New Jersey, with the highest number of fatalities and serious injuries. And the most common cause of these crashes, regardless of the season? Aggressive driving accounted for more than one-third of crash-related serious injuries and a quarter of all fatalities between 2019 and 2022.

“Warm weather and longer days increase the number of motorists on our roadways and sadly, data has shown that this leads to more crashes,” said NJDOT Commissioner Fran O’Connor. “With added hazards like sun glare and increased foot traffic, it’s more important than ever to think about our fellow roadway users, slow down, calm down, and stay alert this time of year.” 

As someone who lost a loved one in a roadway crash, it’s painful to think about how easily that tragedy could have been prevented. So, I join Commissioner O’Connor in urging New  Jerseyans to stay awake, stay sober and share the road to help reduce crashes. Let’s all try harder to respect each other while enjoying the weather.