New Jersey's Roads Get More Dangerous In 2016. Where And Why?

New Jersey has seen a substantial jump in fatal accidents in 2016, possibly bucking a downward trend over the past decade.

As of June 7, the state had 219 fatal crashes - a 12 percent increase over last year, when the state had 195 by the same date in 2015. In 2014, the number was 219.

The number of fatalities also jumped 11 percent, increasing by 23, from 207 by June 7, 2015 to 230 by June 7, 2016, according to State Police reports. In 2014, the number was 222.

The numbers of traffic fatalities has dropped dramatically since 2007, when 724 people died on New Jersey's roads. The number dipped to its lowest amount ever in 2013, when 542 people died, but rose back up to 556 last year.

The deployment of air bags, crackdowns on drunk driving and seat belt enforcement have been credited with the sharp decline in deaths since 1988, when 1,051 people died on New Jersey's roads. In 1996, 809 people died.

Col. Joseph R. Fuentes, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, said in a statement that the law enforcement community will do whatever it takes to prevent the downward trend from reversing itself.

He said law enforcement and certain non-profit organizations "will remain committed in their respective traffic and public safety efforts."

Photo: Two people were killed in a three-car crash on the New Jersey Turnpike on Monday, according to New Jersey State Police.

"Through enforcement and education of the motoring public, we will continue to work towards the reduction of motor vehicle fatalities on our roadways," he said. "As traffic-related deaths continue to be the leading cause of accidental deaths in New Jersey and the nation, we must continue our efforts in traffic safety awareness."

He noted that in 2014, the recorded nationwide death toll on our roadways was approximately 32,675 fatalities, which is approximately 44 fewer deaths than reported in 2013. In addition, this figure for 2014 represents approximately 4,748 fewer deaths nationwide than what was reported six years ago in 2008.

Here are some of the fatal accidents that happened this year:

• Cara McCollum, a 24-year-old news anchor for SNJ Today and a former Miss New Jersey, died earlier this year after her car ran off northbound Route 55 and hit several trees in Pittsgrove, said New Jersey State Police. Click here to read more.
• A woman died in January in Gloucester County in a crash on Route 55 northbound at mile marker 47, police said.
• A prisoner transport van crashed into a truck on Route 55 in January, killing one inmate and injuring three other people, New Jersey State Police said.
• A 31-year-old man was killed in April when his pickup truck flipped on Route 55, police said.

Here are the number of fatal crashes in each county in 2015:

1. Monmouth 45
2. Ocean 44
3. Camden 38
4. Atlantic 37
5. Bergen 37
6. Essex 33
7. Middlesex 32
8. Burlington 31
9. Gloucester 30
10. Union 27
11. Mercer 25
12. Somerset 24
13. Passaic 23
14. Hudson 22
15. Cumberland 17
16. Salem 15
17. Morris 13
18. Cape May 11
19. Sussex 7
20. Hunterdon 6
21. Warren 6