Fatal crashes in Tulare County, California
In 2024, 72 people died in 67 fatal crashes in Tulare County, California, 12.2% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 718 fatal crashes and 793 deaths, the 14th most of 58 counties in California.
14.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.8 across California in 2024; 16.9 against 10.1 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 483,546, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in California.
Deaths in Tulare County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 67 | 72 |
| 2023 | 75 | 82 |
| 2022 | 79 | 83 |
| 2021 | 82 | 91 |
| 2020 | 74 | 83 |
| 2019 | 60 | 70 |
| 2018 | 64 | 72 |
| 2017 | 76 | 85 |
| 2016 | 74 | 80 |
| 2015 | 67 | 75 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Tulare County
State Highway 99 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Tulare County from 2015 to 2024: 65, with 72 deaths. The 9 roads listed held 37% of all fatal crashes in Tulare County from 2015 to 2024; 9 state highways. 38% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 62% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Highway 99 | 65 | 72 | 22 | |
| 2 | State Highway 198 | 40 | 44 | 21 | |
| 3 | State Highway 65 | 38 | 49 | 4 | |
| 4 | State Highway 63 | 34 | 37 | 9 | no page |
| 5 | State Highway 137 | 24 | 26 | 5 | no page |
| 6 | State Highway 43 | 21 | 27 | 10 | |
| 7 | State Highway 190 | 19 | 22 | 8 | no page |
| 8 | State Highway 201 | 16 | 20 | 5 | no page |
| 9 | State Highway 216 | 8 | 8 | 2 | no page |
Visalia had 13% of the county's fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, 92 of 718.
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Visalia 92, Tulare 66, Porterville 36, Dinuba 8, Farmersville 6. 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 Tulare County
The heaviest slot is Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 32 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 6 pm to 7 pm; the worst month is August.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 3.8 percent, 27 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 0.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 4.3 percent, 30 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 18 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 1.8 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 1.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 2.4 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 12 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 21 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 23 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 21 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 1.6 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 18 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 18 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.3 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 1.1 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.1 percent, 22 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 24 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 1.7 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 1.6 percent, 11 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 19 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 23 fatal crashes | 4.5 percent, 32 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 2.7 percent, 19 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 15 fatal crashes | 1.8 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 20 fatal crashes | 3.3 percent, 23 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 28 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.0%
- Feb6.3%
- Mar8.4%
- Apr9.2%
- May7.4%
- Jun7.7%
- Jul8.4%
- Aug10.4%
- Sep9.5%
- Oct9.1%
- Nov8.9%
- Dec8.9%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Tulare County first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 44%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 23%, a pedestrian in 18%, a rollover in 5.7%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 316 | 44% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 162 | 23% |
| Pedestrian | 128 | 18% |
| Rollover | 41 | 5.7% |
| Cyclist | 32 | 4.5% |
| Other | 30 | 4.2% |
| Parked vehicle | 9 | 1.3% |
| 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 Tulare County compare with California
The largest difference from California: from 2015 to 2024, 55% of fatal crashes in Tulare County were on rural roads, against 30% across California. Also above the California share: intersections, unlit roads at night and drinking drivers. Below it: speeding, motorcycles and pedestrians. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of California. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 718 crashes.
| Tulare | California | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 55% | 30% | above the California share |
| At or near an intersection | 32% | 27% | above the California share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 34% | 25% | above the California share |
| A drinking driver | 34% | 28% | above the California share |
| Speeding | 23% | 30% | below the California share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 3.6% | 4.1% | about the same as the California share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 39% | 38% | about the same as the California share |
| Hit-and-run | 10% | 11% | about the same as the California share |
| A motorcycle involved | 11% | 15% | below the California share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 17% | 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 Tulare County, California
- How many people died in car accidents in Tulare County in 2024?
- 72 people died in 67 fatal crashes in Tulare County, California, in 2024, 12.2% fewer than in 2023. That is 14.9 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 9.8 across California. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- What is the deadliest road in Tulare County?
- State Highway 99 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Tulare County from 2015 to 2024: 65, with 72 deaths.
- When do fatal crashes in Tulare County happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Friday, 8 pm to midnight, with 32 fatal crashes.
- How many fatal crashes in Tulare County involved a drinking driver?
- 243 of 718 fatal crashes in Tulare County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 34%, 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 Tulare County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Tulare County (county code 107). 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. Totals from state highway departments and news reports can differ: they count from their own crash reports, often before every death within 30 days is known, while NHTSA's file is checked against death certificates and revised once a year. The full method.
Download every county with a page as CSV. Free to reuse with credit: “Fatal Crash Data, fatalcrashdata.com/fatal-crashes/california/tulare-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”