Year | Fatalities | ||||
Tot | Alc-Rel | % | 0.08+ | % | |
1982 | 1,061 | 622 | 59 | 515 | 49 |
1983 | 932 | 494 | 53 | 434 | 47 |
1984 | 922 | 451 | 49 | 380 | 41 |
1985 | 964 | 479 | 50 | 408 | 42 |
1986 | 1,039 | 490 | 47 | 394 | 38 |
1987 | 1,023 | 435 | 43 | 357 | 35 |
1988 | 1,051 | 457 | 43 | 392 | 37 |
1989 | 891 | 384 | 43 | 315 | 35 |
1990 | 886 | 366 | 41 | 304 | 34 |
1991 | 783 | 320 | 41 | 268 | 34 |
1992 | 763 | 280 | 37 | 222 | 29 |
1993 | 789 | 290 | 37 | 227 | 29 |
1994 | 761 | 289 | 38 | 251 | 33 |
1995 | 774 | 277 | 36 | 223 | 29 |
1996 | 814 | 283 | 35 | 229 | 28 |
1997 | 775 | 278 | 36 | 222 | 29 |
1998 | 741 | 267 | 36 | 207 | 28 |
1999 | 726 | 283 | 39 | 240 | 33 |
2000 | 731 | 322 | 44 | 271 | 37 |
2001 | 745 | 285 | 38 | 235 | 32 |
2002 | 771 | 281 | 36 | 240 | 31 |
2003 | 747 | 275 | 37 | 240 | 32 |
2004 | 731 | 270 | 37 | 227 | 31 |
2005 | 748 | 263 | 35 | 217 | 29 |
2006 | 771 | 285 | 37 | 224 | 29 |
2007 | 724 | 253 | 35 | 199 | 27 |
2008 | 590 | 197 | 33 | 154 | 26 |
2009 | 583 | 185 | 32 | 149 | 25 |
2010 | 556 | 187 | 34 | 153 | 27 |
2011 | 627 | 227 | 36 | 193 | 31 |
2012 | 589 | 211 | 36 | 164 | 28 |
2013 | 542 | 184 | 34 | 146 | 27 |
2014 | 556 | 201 | 36 | 163 | 29 |
The table above shows the total number of traffic fatalities (Tot) for the New Jersey, alcohol-related fatalities (Alc-Rel) and fatalities in crashes where the highest BAC in the crash was 0.08 or above (0.08+).
All 50 states in the US now apply two statutory offenses to operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. The first (and original) offense is known either as driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated/impaired (DWI), or operating while intoxicated/impaired (OWI). This is based upon a police officer’s observations (driving behavior, slurred speech, the results of a roadside sobriety test, etc.)
The second offense is called “illegal per se”, which is driving with a BAC of 0.08% or higher. Since 2002 it has been illegal in all 50 states to drive with a BAC that is 0.08% or higher.
It is important to note that the New Jersey drunk driving statistics, as shown above, include data from individuals who were in an alcohol-related crash, but not driving a motor vehicle at the time. The U.S. Department of Transportation defines alcohol-related deaths as “fatalities that occur in crashes where at least one driver or non-occupant (pedestrian or bicyclist) involved in the crash has a positive Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) value.”
Criminal status of DUI laws in New Jersey
In New Jersey, drunk driving is not a “crime”. Citation:State v Hamm 577 A.2d 1259 (NJ 1990) (2)
Sources for New Jersey drunk driving information and statistics
US Dept. of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 12/02
(2) National Conference of State Legislatures, 2004
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