California Traffic Safety Quick Stats

Overall

Traffic fatalities decreased 5.1% from 3,798 in 2018 to 3,606 in 2019.
The 2019 Mileage Death Rate (MDR) – fatalities per 100 million miles traveled – is 1.06.

Alcohol-Impaired Driving

Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities (fatalities in crashes involving a driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, of 0.08 or higher) decreased 4.5% from 1,116 in 2018 to 1,066 in 2019.

Drug-Impaired Driving

In 2019, 50% of all drivers killed in motor vehicle crashes, who were tested, tested positive for legal and/ or illegal drugs, an increase of 8% from 2018.

Occupant Protection

Unrestrained passenger vehicle occupant fatalities in all seating positions decreased 2.4% from 635 in 2018 to 620 in 2019.

Motorcycle Safety

Motorcycle fatalities decreased 9.4% from 523 in 2018 to 474 in 2019.
Motorcyclist deaths from not wearing a helmet decreased 18% from 34 in 2018 to 28 in 2019.

Teen Safety

Teen motor vehicle fatalities (age 16-19) decreased 25.2% from 219 in 2018 to 164 in 2019.
Teen Driver fatalities (age 16-19) decreased 12.7% from 95 in 2018 to 83 in 2019.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety

Pedestrian fatalities decreased 0.6% from 978 in 2018 to 972 in 2019.
Pedestrian fatalities age 65 and older increased 1.9% from 218 in 2018 to 222 in 2019.
Bicycle fatalities decreased 19.5% from 165 in 2018 to 133 in 2019.

Previous Years

*Data Source ‘ Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS)
**Data Source ‘ Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)