May 31, 2026, 4:40 a.m. ET
Summer traffic deaths are expected to rise, prompting safety warnings from AAA ahead of the peak season.
According to the National Safety Council, fatalities typically increase from June to August. AAA is promoting its “100 Days of Safe Driving” campaign, encouraging motorists to adopt safe driving practices during this critical period.
Evidence shows that over 30% of fatal crashes involving teen drivers and nearly one-third of all impaired driving fatalities occur between Memorial Day and Labor Day, AAA reports.
“By staying focused, slowing down, buckling up, and planning ahead for a sober ride, every driver can help make our roads safer,” said Gene Boehm, President and CEO of AAA.
From May 2020 through August 2024, New Jersey recorded 11.38 fatal crashes per 100,000 residents, ranking it as the fifth-safest state in the nation, according to a report by Roi-nj.com.
The report utilized data from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Fatality Analysis Reporting System to analyze summer driving safety across states. It compared total summer crashes against each state's population to determine per-capita crash rates.
Key findings indicate that six of the ten safest states for summer driving are in the Northeast, attributed to stricter safety laws and dense urban development.
Tri-state Area Summer Crash Rates
- New Jersey: 11.38
- New York: 10.17
- Pennsylvania: 16.00
- Delaware: 20.15
- Connecticut: 15.24
Ten Safest States for Summer Driving
- Massachusetts
- Rhode Island
- New York
- Hawaii
- New Jersey
- Utah
- Minnesota
- Connecticut
- Washington
- New Hampshire