Fatal crashes in Placer County, California
In 2024, 40 people died in 40 fatal crashes in Placer County, 7.0% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 313 fatal crashes and 334 deaths.
9.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.8 across California in 2024; 8.3 against 10.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 433,822, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in California.
Deaths in Placer County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 40 | 40 |
| 2023 | 38 | 43 |
| 2022 | 33 | 38 |
| 2021 | 32 | 34 |
| 2020 | 33 | 35 |
| 2019 | 24 | 24 |
| 2018 | 27 | 29 |
| 2017 | 29 | 30 |
| 2016 | 36 | 40 |
| 2015 | 21 | 21 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Placer County
I-80 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Placer County from 2015 to 2024: 64, with 67 deaths. The 5 roads listed held 41% of all fatal crashes in Placer County from 2015 to 2024; 1 is an interstate, 4 state highways. Interstate, US and state routes with 5 or more fatal crashes in the county; county roads and city streets are in the county's total but not listed.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-80 | 64 | 67 | 18 | |
| 2 | State Highway 65 | 29 | 33 | 9 | |
| 3 | State Highway 49 | 23 | 25 | 7 | |
| 4 | State Highway 89 | 7 | 9 | 2 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 28 | 6 | 6 | 4 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Roseville 62, Rocklin 14, Lincoln 12, Auburn 7. The city is not filed for crashes outside a city.
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
When fatal crashes happen in Placer County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 18 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 5 pm to 6 pm; the worst month is October.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.6 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 5.9 percent, 18 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.6 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.0 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 11 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.3%
- Feb6.4%
- Mar8.6%
- Apr8.0%
- May6.7%
- Jun7.7%
- Jul10.2%
- Aug8.9%
- Sep7.0%
- Oct11.5%
- Nov9.3%
- Dec8.3%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Placer County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 36%; a collision with another vehicle in 33%, a pedestrian in 14%, a rollover in 6.1%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 111 | 36% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 102 | 33% |
| Pedestrian | 45 | 14% |
| Other | 21 | 6.7% |
| Rollover | 19 | 6.1% |
| Cyclist | 10 | 3.2% |
| Parked vehicle | 5 | 1.6% |
| Not reported | 0 | 0.0% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
How fatal crashes in Placer County compare with California
A drinking driver was recorded in 30% of fatal crashes in Placer County from 2015 to 2024, above the California share of 28%; speeding in 29%, below the California share of 30%; a hit-and-run in 5.1%, below the California share of 11%; a driver recorded as distracted in 4.5%, about the California share; 34% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the California share of 38%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of California. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Placer | California | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 45% | 30% | above the California share |
| At or near an intersection | 18% | 27% | below the California share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 29% | 25% | above the California share |
| A drinking driver | 30% | 28% | above the California share |
| Speeding | 29% | 30% | below the California share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 4.5% | 4.1% | about the same as the California share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 34% | 38% | below the California share |
| Hit-and-run | 5.1% | 11% | below the California share |
| A motorcycle involved | 17% | 15% | above the California share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 15% | 26% | below the California share |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Questions about fatal crashes in Placer County
- How many people died in car accidents in Placer County in 2024?
- 40 people died in 40 fatal crashes in Placer County, California, in 2024, 7.0% fewer than in 2023. That is 9.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.8 across California.
- What is the deadliest road in Placer County?
- I-80 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Placer County from 2015 to 2024: 64, with 67 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Placer County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 18 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Placer County involved a drinking driver?
- 94 of 313 fatal crashes in Placer County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 30%, against 28% across California.
Other counties in California with a page
- Los Angeles County
- San Bernardino County
- Riverside County
- San Diego County
- Orange County
- Sacramento County
- Kern County
- Fresno County
- Santa Clara County
- San Joaquin County
- Alameda County
- Contra Costa County
All fatal crashes in California, with every county ranked.
Where the Placer County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Placer County (county code 61). A fatal crash is one in which someone died within 30 days. The rate per 100,000 uses the Census Bureau's population estimate for the county; it is the only figure here not counted from FARS. The full method.