TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey’s five-year average for traffic fatalities has risen steadily over the past decade, with the sharpest increases occurring around the time the state began allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses, according to state data.
But is there a direct correlation between the increase in fatal crashes and the legalization of illegal aliens being given driver’s licenses by Governor Phil Murphy?
From the 2013–2017 period to 2018–2022, the average annual traffic fatalities increased from 577 to 618, marking a 7.1% rise, according to figures from the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
The most significant jump came between the 2016–2020 and 2017–2021 periods, with fatalities increasing by 19 — a 3.2% spike.
New Jersey’s policy to issue standard driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants took effect on May 1, 2021.
The law, signed by Governor Phil Murphy in December 2019, was intended to improve road safety by ensuring all drivers were trained, tested, and insured.
“The purpose of the policy was to increase road safety by ensuring all drivers are trained, tested, and insured,” according to the law’s stated goals.
The 2017–2021 five-year period — which includes the first eight months of the new policy — saw fatalities rise to 605, up from 586 in the previous window. The trend continued in the 2018–2022 period, when the average climbed again to 618, representing a 5.5% increase from 2016–2020.
Contextual factors driving fatality increases
Several broader factors are being contributed to the overall rise, by those defending illegal driver’s licenses.
These include changes in driving behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic — which saw emptier roads lead to riskier driving — as well as statewide population growth and increased smartphone-related distracted driving.
The number of new drivers, including those newly licensed under the undocumented immigrant policy, may have added to overall road volume, potentially raising the risk of collisions.
However, new drivers are statistically more prone to accidents regardless of immigration status or background.
Infrastructure challenges and road maintenance in certain high-traffic areas of New Jersey may also play a role in fatal crashes. Meanwhile, without public access to specific data on how many undocumented immigrants have received licenses or their involvement in fatal accidents, the connection between the license policy and fatalities remains inconclusive.
Key Points
- New Jersey’s five-year traffic fatality average rose 7.1% from 2013–2017 to 2018–2022.
- The state began issuing driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants in May 2021.
- Lack of data on crashes involving newly licensed undocumented drivers limits conclusions.
To determine whether the license policy has had a direct effect on road safety, experts say further analysis is needed, including detailed crash data involving newly licensed undocumented drivers and the causes of fatal crashes.
Fatal crashes continued to rise in New Jersey as undocumented immigrant driver policy took effect.