Preliminary data from the New Jersey Dept. of Law & Public Safety indicates a substantial drop in pedestrian fatalities last year versus 2002.

2002’s 184 pedestrian deaths were a dramatic upward spike (37%) over 2001’s 134 fatalities. 2003 data show 142 pedestrian deaths, a 17% decline from 2002 levels.

While the results may show that 2003’s high number was a temporary spike, it also confirms that the steady down-trend in pedestrian deaths New Jersey saw from 1998 to 2001 has clearly broken. It won’t be easy for the Garden State to reduce danger to pedestrians without devoting more resources to safer, more accommodating road and street designs.

Total NJ traffic deaths are down about 7.5%, from 788 in 2002 to 733 last year, according to the figures. Camden and Essex Counties were the worst areas for pedestrians, with 14 deaths each. 

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