Some cautious optimism.

New data shows traffic fatalities dropped significantly in 2025 after a historically deadly 2024.

New Jersey State Police report 576 people were killed in traffic crashes last year.

That's down about 15 percent from the year prior when 684 people were killed.

Officials are stressing these numbers are preliminary, but the drop met the state's safety goal and exceeded federal projections, even as more people were on the roads nationwide.

Pedestrian deaths also fell sharply, from 230 to 173, and cyclist deaths also dipped slightly.

Ocean County again led the state in fatalities.

Meanwhile, Hunterdon County recorded the fewest deaths.

The progress comes as the state launched its new Target Zero initiative, aimed at eliminating traffic deaths by 2040.

[music]