Fatal crashes in San Francisco County, California
In 2024, 48 people died in 42 fatal crashes in San Francisco County, 37.1% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 338 fatal crashes and 356 deaths.
5.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.8 across California in 2024; 4.2 against 10.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 827,526, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in California.
Deaths in San Francisco County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 42 | 48 |
| 2023 | 34 | 35 |
| 2022 | 41 | 42 |
| 2021 | 33 | 34 |
| 2020 | 30 | 32 |
| 2019 | 34 | 39 |
| 2018 | 27 | 27 |
| 2017 | 25 | 25 |
| 2016 | 34 | 36 |
| 2015 | 38 | 38 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in San Francisco County
US 101 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in San Francisco County from 2015 to 2024: 28, with 34 deaths. The 4 roads listed held 22% of all fatal crashes in San Francisco County from 2015 to 2024; 2 are interstates, 1 US route, 1 state highway. 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 | US 101 | 28 | 34 | 9 | |
| 2 | I-80 | 21 | 23 | 8 | |
| 3 | I-280 | 15 | 15 | 5 | |
| 4 | State Highway 1 | 9 | 9 | 4 |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: San Francisco 298. 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 San Francisco County
The heaviest slot is Sunday, midnight to 4 am, with 18 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 1 am to 2 am; the worst month is March.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 5.4 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.6 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.7 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 14 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.9 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 3.9 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan8.0%
- Feb5.6%
- Mar10.7%
- Apr6.5%
- May8.0%
- Jun9.5%
- Jul5.3%
- Aug9.5%
- Sep9.8%
- Oct10.1%
- Nov7.1%
- Dec10.1%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in San Francisco County first hit
The first harmful event was a pedestrian in 48%; a collision with another vehicle in 22%, a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 18%, a cyclist in 5.0%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrian | 161 | 48% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 73 | 22% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 60 | 18% |
| Other | 18 | 5.3% |
| Cyclist | 17 | 5.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 8 | 2.4% |
| Rollover | 1 | 0.3% |
| 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 San Francisco County compare with California
A drinking driver was recorded in 11% of fatal crashes in San Francisco County from 2015 to 2024, below the California share of 28%; speeding in 31%, above the California share of 30%; a hit-and-run in 22%, above the California share of 11%; a driver recorded as distracted in 3.0%, below the California share of 4.1%; 29% 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.
| San Francisco | California | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 0.6% | 30% | below the California share |
| At or near an intersection | 52% | 27% | above the California share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 8.6% | 25% | below the California share |
| A drinking driver | 11% | 28% | below the California share |
| Speeding | 31% | 30% | above the California share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 3.0% | 4.1% | below the California share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 29% | 38% | below the California share |
| Hit-and-run | 22% | 11% | above the California share |
| A motorcycle involved | 19% | 15% | above the California share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 51% | 26% | above 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 San Francisco County
- How many people died in car accidents in San Francisco County in 2024?
- 48 people died in 42 fatal crashes in San Francisco County, California, in 2024, 37.1% more than in 2023. That is 5.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.8 across California.
- What is the deadliest road in San Francisco County?
- US 101 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in San Francisco County from 2015 to 2024: 28, with 34 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in San Francisco County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, midnight to 4 am, with 18 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in San Francisco County involved a drinking driver?
- 38 of 338 fatal crashes in San Francisco County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 11%, 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 San Francisco County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in San Francisco County (county code 75). 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.