Fatal crashes in Saluda County, South Carolina
In 2024, 8 people died in 7 fatal crashes in Saluda County, South Carolina, up from 6 in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 39 fatal crashes and 42 deaths, the 43rd most of 46 counties in South Carolina.
Deaths in Saluda County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | 8 |
| 2023 | 6 | 6 |
| 2022 | 2 | 2 |
| 2021 | 7 | 7 |
| 2020 | 4 | 5 |
| 2019 | 3 | 3 |
| 2018 | 3 | 3 |
| 2017 | 6 | 7 |
| 2016 | 1 | 1 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Numbered roads with fatal crashes in Saluda County
The 2 roads listed held 33% of all fatal crashes in Saluda County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 1 state highway. 90% of the county's fatal crashes were on an interstate, US or state route; the other 10% were on county roads and city streets. Routes are listed from 5 fatal crashes.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US 178 | 8 | 9 | 3 | |
| 2 | State Highway 39 | 5 | 6 | 2 | no page |
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 Saluda County
39 fatal crashes in Saluda County, South Carolina from 2015 to 2024 have a known time, too few for any one weekday and time of day to stand out. The worst hour is 10 pm to 11 pm; 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 | 5.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 12.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 15.4 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 5.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.1 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.6 percent, 1 fatal crash |
| Sat | 2.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 1 fatal crash | 2.6 percent, 1 fatal crash |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.7%
- Feb5.1%
- Mar12.8%
- Apr10.3%
- May10.3%
- Jun10.3%
- Jul2.6%
- Aug10.3%
- Sep12.8%
- Oct5.1%
- Nov10.3%
- Dec2.6%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Saluda County first hit
The first harmful event was a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 49%; a collision with another vehicle in 33%, a rollover in 10%, a pedestrian in 2.6%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 19 | 49% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 13 | 33% |
| Rollover | 4 | 10% |
| Other | 2 | 5.1% |
| Pedestrian | 1 | 2.6% |
| Cyclist | 0 | 0.0% |
| Parked vehicle | 0 | 0.0% |
| 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 Saluda County compare with South Carolina
The largest difference from South Carolina: from 2015 to 2024, 95% of fatal crashes in Saluda County were on rural roads, against 59% across South Carolina. Also above the South Carolina share: unlit roads at night. Below it: pedestrians. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of South Carolina. A share is only given over 20 crashes; above or below means more than chance would give on 39 crashes.
| Saluda | South Carolina | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 95% | 59% | above the South Carolina share |
| At or near an intersection | 21% | 20% | about the same as the South Carolina share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 54% | 37% | above the South Carolina share |
| A drinking driver | 39% | 32% | about the same as the South Carolina share |
| Speeding | 46% | 40% | about the same as the South Carolina share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 2.6% | 5.0% | about the same as the South Carolina share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 61% | 53% | about the same as the South Carolina share |
| Hit-and-run | 0.0% | 4.2% | about the same as the South Carolina share |
| A motorcycle involved | 5.1% | 16% | about the same as the South Carolina share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 2.4% | 16% | below the South Carolina 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 Saluda County, South Carolina
- How many people died in car accidents in Saluda County in 2024?
- 8 people died in 7 fatal crashes in Saluda County, South Carolina, in 2024, up from 6 in 2023. Source: NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- How many fatal crashes in Saluda County involved a drinking driver?
- 15 of 39 fatal crashes in Saluda County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 39%, against 32% across South Carolina.
Other counties in South Carolina with a page
- Greenville County
- Horry County
- Charleston County
- Spartanburg County
- Richland County
- Lexington County
- Anderson County
- Berkeley County
- Orangeburg County
- Florence County
- York County
- Aiken County
All fatal crashes in South Carolina, with every county ranked.
Where the Saluda County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Saluda County (county code 81). 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/south-carolina/saluda-county/, from NHTSA FARS (2024 Annual Report File).”