State Highway 178 in California: fatal crashes
From 2015 to 2024, 91 fatal crashes on State Highway 178 in California killed 103 people. In 2024 there were 13 fatal crashes and 14 deaths on the road.
An state highway running through 3 counties of California. All fatal crashes in California.
Deaths on State Highway 178 in California by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 | 14 |
| 2023 | 11 | 12 |
| 2022 | 12 | 13 |
| 2021 | 6 | 7 |
| 2020 | 13 | 17 |
| 2019 | 11 | 11 |
| 2018 | 6 | 6 |
| 2017 | 8 | 8 |
| 2016 | 6 | 10 |
| 2015 | 5 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Where on State Highway 178 in California: the counties with the most fatal crashes
Kern County had the most fatal crashes on State Highway 178 from 2015 to 2024: 85, with 95 deaths. Counties are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| County | 2024 | 2015 to 2024 | Deaths | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kern County | 12 | 85 | 95 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
When fatal crashes happen on State Highway 178 in California
Too few crashes to name a heaviest slot. The grid shows the shares; a share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 6.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 2.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 2.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.2 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 4.9 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 7.3 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan9.9%
- Feb4.4%
- Mar9.9%
- Apr7.7%
- May11.0%
- Jun6.6%
- Jul7.7%
- Aug8.8%
- Sep4.4%
- Oct11.0%
- Nov7.7%
- Dec11.0%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes on State Highway 178 in California first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 31%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 29%, a pedestrian in 12%, a rollover in 12%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 28 | 31% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 26 | 29% |
| Other | 12 | 13% |
| Pedestrian | 11 | 12% |
| Rollover | 11 | 12% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 1.1% |
| Parked vehicle | 1 | 1.1% |
| Not reported | 1 | 1.1% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
How fatal crashes on State Highway 178 in California compare with the state
A drinking driver was recorded in 31% of fatal crashes in State Highway 178 in California from 2015 to 2024, above the California share of 28%; speeding in 20%, below the California share of 30%; a hit-and-run in 5.5%, below the California share of 11%; a driver recorded as distracted in 6.6%, above the California share of 4.1%; 39% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above 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.
| State Highway 178 | California | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural stretches | 66% | 30% | above the California share |
| At or near an intersection | 13% | 27% | below the California share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 36% | 25% | above the California share |
| A drinking driver | 31% | 28% | above the California share |
| Speeding | 20% | 30% | below the California share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 6.6% | 4.1% | above the California share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 39% | 38% | above the California share |
| Hit-and-run | 5.5% | 11% | below the California share |
| A motorcycle involved | 19% | 15% | above the California share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 11% | 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 State Highway 178 in California
- How many fatal crashes have there been on State Highway 178 in California?
- 91 fatal crashes killed 103 people on State Highway 178 in California from 2015 to 2024. In 2024 there were 13 fatal crashes and 14 deaths.
- Where on State Highway 178 in California do the most fatal crashes happen?
- Kern County had the most fatal crashes on State Highway 178 from 2015 to 2024: 85, with 95 deaths.
Other roads in California with a page
All fatal crashes in California, with every road ranked.
Where the State Highway 178 numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash whose road NHTSA filed as State Highway 178 in California (filed under 6 spellings, such as "SR-178", "SR-178 24TH ST", "SR-178 E RIDGECREST BLVD", "SR-178 GOLDEN STATE"). Ramps, frontage and service roads are left out. A fatal crash is one in which someone died within 30 days. The full method.