| Data years | 2020-2024[1][2][3][4][5] |
|---|---|
| Deaths in car accidents, 2020-2024 | 165[1][2][3][4][5] |
| Deaths in car accidents, 2024 | 26[5] |
| Average annual deaths per 100,000 residents | 4.4[1][2][3][4][5][6] |
| Population, July 1, 2024 (estimate) | 740,627[6] |
| 2024 data file | FARS Annual Report File[5] |
San Mateo County car accident statistics record 165 deaths from 2020 through 2024, representing 86.4% of the county's 191 traffic deaths. In 2024, car accident deaths numbered 26, or 86.7% of the 30 traffic deaths recorded that year. The selected crashes accounted for 152 fatal crashes during the full period, with an average of 33.0 deaths per year.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
A car accident here means a fatal crash involving at least one passenger car, SUV, pickup or van. The death count includes everyone killed in those crashes, across the categories People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans, People in other vehicles, and Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping). The figures use NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System and Census Bureau population estimates, with deaths assigned to the county where each crash happened.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Contents
Car accident deaths in San Mateo County by year
Car accident deaths rose from 32 in 2020 to 34 in 2021 and reached 41 in 2022. They then fell to 32 in 2023 and 26 in 2024. The highest count was in 2022, and the lowest was in 2024. The 2024 count was 6 deaths lower than the 2020 count.[1][2][3][4][5]
All traffic deaths numbered 39 in 2020, 36 in 2021, 48 in 2022, 38 in 2023 and 30 in 2024. Car accident deaths represented 82.1%, 94.4%, 85.4%, 84.2% and 86.7% of those respective yearly totals. The highest share occurred in 2021, while 2022 had the highest death count. The lowest share was recorded in 2020.[1][2][3][4][5]
| Year | Deaths in car accidents | All traffic deaths | Share in car accidents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 32 | 39 | 82.1% |
| 2021 | 34 | 36 | 94.4% |
| 2022 | 41 | 48 | 85.4% |
| 2023 | 32 | 38 | 84.2% |
| 2024 | 26 | 30 | 86.7% |
Deaths within 30 days in crashes on public roads. 2024 figures come from the FARS Annual Report File and can be revised.
Who died in San Mateo County car accidents
People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 96 deaths, or 58.2% of car accident deaths from 2020 through 2024. This was the largest person category. People in other vehicles accounted for 11 deaths, or 6.7%, the smallest category. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 58 deaths, or 35.2%.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
These categories describe the people killed in the selected passenger-vehicle-involved crashes. The Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) label follows FARS classifications rather than a literal test of whether someone was outside a vehicle; it can include occupants of parked motor vehicles.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
How the fatal car crashes happened
Head-on collisions accounted for 19 car accident deaths (11.5%). Angle (side impact) and Rear-end each accounted for 12 deaths (7.3%); Sideswipe accounted for 3 (1.8%). Other recorded 1 death (0.6%), and Unknown recorded 2 (1.2%).[1][2][3][4][5][7]
Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport accounted for 116 deaths (70.3%). Manner of collision describes the first harmful event. This row includes events such as striking a pedestrian, cyclist, parked vehicle or fixed object, or a rollover. It means that event was not a collision between motor vehicles in transport. A vehicle stopped in traffic can be in transport; physical movement is not the test.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
Time of day and setting
Nighttime, from 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m., accounted for 96 car accident deaths (58.2%) during 2020 through 2024. Daytime, from 6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m., accounted for 64 deaths (38.8%). Time of day was Unknown for 5 deaths (3.0%). The nighttime count was higher than the daytime count.[1][2][3][4][5]
The land-use classification recorded 140 deaths (84.8%) as Urban and 25 (15.2%) as Rural. Separately, car accident deaths in crashes that also involved a large truck numbered 7, representing 4.2% of the selected deaths. These figures count deaths in the crashes, rather than the number of trucks involved.[1][2][3][4][5]
Car accident death rate compared with California and the United States
San Mateo County's car accident death rate was 4.4 average annual deaths per 100,000 residents for 2020 through 2024. California's rate was 9.3, and the United States rate was 10.5. The county rate was lower than both. The corresponding death counts were 165 for the county, 18,231 for California and 176,219 nationally.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Among the listed neighboring counties, Santa Clara County and Alameda County each had a rate of 5.3, while San Francisco County had a rate of 3.5. San Mateo County's rate was lower than Santa Clara County's and Alameda County's, and higher than San Francisco County's. Rates use the sum of annual population estimates and do not adjust for miles driven or visitors.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
| Area | Deaths, 2020-2024 | Average annual deaths per 100,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| San Mateo County, California | 165 | 4.4 |
| California | 18,231 | 9.3 |
| United States | 176,219 | 10.5 |
| Santa Clara County, California (neighbor) | 504 | 5.3 |
| Alameda County, California (neighbor) | 437 | 5.3 |
| San Francisco County, California (neighbor) | 147 | 3.5 |
Rates divide deaths by the sum of annual Census population estimates, so they show deaths per 100,000 residents per year. They do not adjust for miles driven or for visitors.
Recorded characteristics of all fatal crashes
Recorded characteristics cover all fatal crashes in San Mateo County, of any vehicle type, rather than only the selected car accident crashes. As shares of all traffic deaths, Roadway departure accounted for 44.0%, Speeding-related for 34.6%, At an intersection for 22.0%, and Pedestrian involved for 29.8%.[1][2][3][4][5]
Motorcycle involved accounted for 13.1%, Hit-and-run for 14.1%, Driver distraction reported for 4.2%, and In a work zone for 4.2%. A crash can have several recorded characteristics, so the rows overlap and do not add to 100%. These classifications are not findings of fault or cause.[1][2][3][4][5]
| Recorded crash characteristic (all fatal crashes) | Deaths, 2020-2024 | Share of all traffic deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding-related | 66 | 34.6% |
| Roadway departure | 84 | 44.0% |
| At an intersection | 42 | 22.0% |
| Pedestrian involved | 57 | 29.8% |
| Motorcycle involved | 25 | 13.1% |
| Hit-and-run | 27 | 14.1% |
| Driver distraction reported | 8 | 4.2% |
| In a work zone | 8 | 4.2% |
A crash can carry several characteristics, so the rows overlap and do not add to 100%. These are recorded characteristics, not findings of fault.
About these figures
FARS is a census of fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes involving a motor vehicle on a trafficway customarily open to the public, with a death within 30 days. It excludes nonfatal crashes and injuries. Whether searching for statistics or a car accident lawyer, read these counts by crash location, not the deceased person's residence.[8][6][7]
The 2020 through 2023 figures use FARS Final Files; 2024 uses the revisable Annual Report File. Rates divide deaths by summed annual Census Bureau population estimates, Vintage 2025, then multiply by 100,000. The separate July 1, 2024 estimate of 740,627 is not the denominator. The result measures average annual deaths per 100,000 residents without adjustments for miles driven or visitors.[8][6][7]
See also
References
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2020 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2021 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2022 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2023 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwx "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2024 national data files (Annual Report File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghi "Annual resident population estimates for counties, April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2025 (CO-EST2025-ALLDATA)". U.S. Census Bureau. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefgh "Fatality Analysis Reporting System Analytical User's Manual, 1975-2024 (DOT HS 813 794)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- ab "Overview of motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2024 (DOT HS 813 791, April 2026)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record