Car accident statistics for St. Johns County, Florida (2020-2024)

Car accident deaths in St. Johns County by year

Car accident deaths fell from 32 in 2020 to 31 in 2021 and 29 in 2022. The count rose to 36 in 2023 before falling to 23 in 2024. The highest count was in 2023, and the lowest was in 2024. The 2024 count was 9 deaths lower than the 2020 count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

All traffic deaths followed the same sequence of decreases and an increase: 39 in 2020, 37 in 2021, 35 in 2022, 41 in 2023 and 27 in 2024. Car accident shares of those annual totals were 82.1%, 83.8%, 82.9%, 87.8% and 85.2%, respectively. The highest share was in 2023, while the lowest share was in 2020.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

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 St. Johns County car accidents

People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 102 deaths, or 67.5% of car accident deaths during 2020 through 2024. This was the largest person category. People in other vehicles accounted for 16 deaths, or 10.6%, the smallest category. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 33 deaths, or 21.9%.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Each category counts deaths in crashes involving a passenger vehicle. The labels describe the people counted within those selected crashes, rather than separate totals for every crash involving each vehicle type. The nonoccupant label follows the FARS person-type grouping.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

How the fatal car crashes happened

Angle (side impact) accounted for 35 car accident deaths, or 23.2%; Head-on for 24, or 15.9%; Rear-end for 18, or 11.9%; and Sideswipe for 3, or 2.0%. Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport accounted for 71 deaths, or 47.0%.^{[1][2][3][4][5][7]}

Manner of collision describes the first harmful event. The latter row means that event was not a collision between motor vehicles in transport. Examples include striking a pedestrian, cyclist, parked vehicle or fixed object, or a rollover. 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, defined as 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m., accounted for 84 car accident deaths, or 55.6%, from 2020 through 2024. Daytime, from 6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m., accounted for 67 deaths, or 44.4%. The nighttime count was higher than the daytime count.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

The urban classification recorded 78 deaths, or 51.7%, while rural recorded 72 deaths, or 47.7%. Land use was unknown for 1 death, or 0.7%. In a separate measure of vehicle involvement, crashes that also involved a large truck accounted for 23 car accident deaths, or 15.2%.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Car accident death rate compared with Florida and the United States

The St. Johns County car accident death rate was 9.9 average annual deaths per 100,000 residents for 2020 through 2024. Florida's rate was 13.3, and the national rate was 10.5. The county rate was lower than both. These rates use deaths divided by the sum of annual Census Bureau population estimates, multiplied by 100,000.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

Among the listed neighboring counties, Duval County recorded a rate of 14.1, Clay County 11.6 and Putnam County 28.5. Putnam County had the highest rate among the listed neighboring counties, and Clay County had the lowest. St. Johns County's rate was lower than each listed neighbor's rate. The rates do not adjust for miles driven or visitors.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

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 the county, of any vehicle type. Shares use all traffic deaths, rather than just car accident deaths. Speeding-related recorded 11 deaths (6.1%); Roadway departure, 77 (43.0%); At an intersection, 55 (30.7%); and Pedestrian involved, 34 (19.0%).^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Motorcycle involved recorded 30 deaths (16.8%); Hit-and-run, 8 (4.5%); Driver distraction reported, 20 (11.2%); and In a work zone, 3 (1.7%). A crash can carry several characteristics, so rows overlap and cannot be added into a total. These entries are recorded characteristics, not findings of fault or cause.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

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. Inclusion requires a motor vehicle traveling on a trafficway customarily open to the public and a death within 30 days. Nonfatal crashes and injuries are excluded. Counts follow crash location, not residency. If searching for a car accident lawyer, read these counts as grouped by crash location.^[8][6][7]

The 2020 through 2023 figures use Final Files; 2024 uses the revisable Annual Report File. Rates divide deaths for 2020 through 2024 by summed annual Census Bureau population estimates from Vintage 2025 and multiply by 100,000. The separate July 1, 2024 population estimate is not the denominator. Rates express average annual deaths per 100,000 residents without adjustments for miles driven or visitors.^[8][6][7]

See also

• Car accident statistics for Duval County, Florida (2020-2024)
• Florida car accident statistics (2020-2024)