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Data shows areas in Morris County with the highest fatal crash rates, guiding safety plan priorities.
MORRISTOWN, NJ - Morris County is prioritizing road safety improvements with the development of a Local Safety Action Plan (LSAP) to address critical traffic safety issues across its 39 municipalities. With funding from the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, the LSAP aims to reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities by targeting the most accident-prone areas and engaging the public to help shape safety initiatives.
High-Risk Zones in Morris County
Crash data from 2017 to 2021 reveals that the most dangerous roadways in Morris County are concentrated in four main areas. The most accident-prone region lies between Wharton Borough, Mine Hill Township, Randolph, and Rockaway. This central area sees the highest frequency of traffic incidents, making it a focal point for proposed safety measures. Parsippany follows closely as the second-most hazardous zone, with Morristown ranking third in accident occurrences.
Emphasis Areas for Safety Improvements
Through data analysis, local experts and stakeholders identified four main "Emphasis Areas" to address within the LSAP. These areas include aggressive driving, drowsy and distracted driving, pedestrian and bicyclist safety, and intersection-related crashes. The goal is to develop targeted strategies for each category, focusing resources on reducing crashes, injuries, and fatalities associated with these specific factors.
NJTPA County Crash Analysis: 2017 - 2021Significant Crash Data and Fatalities
Statistics from Morris County highlight concerning trends over the past five years. From 2017 to 2021, there were 134 traffic-related fatalities across the county, with the highest annual tolls occurring in 2018 (31 fatalities) and 2021 (30 fatalities). The majority of fatal crashes involved lane departures, pedestrians or bicyclists, aggressive and distracted driving, and incidents at intersections.
Pedestrian safety remains a critical issue, as data reveals 30 pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries within the same five-year period. Fatalities also vary significantly by month, with January recording the highest number (18 fatalities), followed by October (17), September (15), and June (14). August had the fewest fatalities (6), indicating seasonal factors may influence crash rates.
Engaging the Public in Safety Planning
Public involvement is a key aspect of the LSAP. County officials are encouraging residents to participate in a survey to share their insights and concerns regarding traffic safety in their communities. Additionally, community engagement events are being planned - past engagement events included a presence at the Morristown Festival on the Green on September 29 and a virtual public workshop, with more events soon to come.
By targeting these high-risk areas and inviting public input, the Morris County LSAP hopes to develop an effective, data-driven plan to improve roadway safety across the county. Residents are urged to participate in the ongoing survey to help prioritize improvements that can make local roads safer for everyone.
