Fatal crashes in Santa Barbara County, California
In 2024, 38 people died in 35 fatal crashes in Santa Barbara County, 5.0% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 339 fatal crashes and 380 deaths.
8.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.8 across California in 2024; 8.6 against 10.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 444,500, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in California.
Deaths in Santa Barbara County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 35 | 38 |
| 2023 | 34 | 40 |
| 2022 | 36 | 39 |
| 2021 | 46 | 51 |
| 2020 | 25 | 28 |
| 2019 | 33 | 38 |
| 2018 | 31 | 35 |
| 2017 | 33 | 42 |
| 2016 | 31 | 34 |
| 2015 | 35 | 35 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Santa Barbara County
US 101 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Santa Barbara County from 2015 to 2024: 100, with 107 deaths. The 6 roads listed held 63% of all fatal crashes in Santa Barbara County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 5 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 | US 101 | 100 | 107 | 33 | |
| 2 | State Highway 1 | 33 | 37 | 15 | |
| 3 | State Highway 154 | 26 | 29 | 6 | no page |
| 4 | State Highway 166 | 22 | 27 | 7 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 246 | 19 | 20 | 7 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 135 | 14 | 17 | 5 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Santa Barbara 39, Santa Maria 34, Goleta 16, Carpinteria 8, Lompoc 8. 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 Santa Barbara County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 19 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 5 pm to 6 pm; the worst month is September.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 3.9 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 9 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 4.2 percent, 14 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.5 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 3.0 percent, 10 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 5.7 percent, 19 fatal crashes | 3.6 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 3.3 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 0.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 15 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.1%
- Feb8.8%
- Mar7.7%
- Apr8.8%
- May6.8%
- Jun8.3%
- Jul9.4%
- Aug7.1%
- Sep10.0%
- Oct9.1%
- Nov7.4%
- Dec9.4%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Santa Barbara County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 37%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 27%, a pedestrian in 17%, a rollover in 10%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 125 | 37% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 93 | 27% |
| Pedestrian | 59 | 17% |
| Rollover | 34 | 10% |
| Cyclist | 12 | 3.5% |
| Other | 12 | 3.5% |
| Parked vehicle | 4 | 1.2% |
| 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 Santa Barbara County compare with California
A drinking driver was recorded in 30% of fatal crashes in Santa Barbara County from 2015 to 2024, above the California share of 28%; speeding in 30%, about the California share; a hit-and-run in 8.3%, below the California share of 11%; a driver recorded as distracted in 2.1%, 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.
| Santa Barbara | California | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 47% | 30% | above the California share |
| At or near an intersection | 21% | 27% | below the California share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 31% | 25% | above the California share |
| A drinking driver | 30% | 28% | above the California share |
| Speeding | 30% | 30% | about the same as the California share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 2.1% | 4.1% | below the California share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 29% | 38% | below the California share |
| Hit-and-run | 8.3% | 11% | below the California share |
| A motorcycle involved | 16% | 15% | about the same as the California share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 16% | 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 Santa Barbara County
- How many people died in car accidents in Santa Barbara County in 2024?
- 38 people died in 35 fatal crashes in Santa Barbara County, California, in 2024, 5.0% fewer than in 2023. That is 8.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.8 across California.
- What is the deadliest road in Santa Barbara County?
- US 101 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Santa Barbara County from 2015 to 2024: 100, with 107 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Santa Barbara County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 4 to 8 pm, with 19 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Santa Barbara County involved a drinking driver?
- 100 of 339 fatal crashes in Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Santa Barbara County (county code 83). 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.