California is the third largest state and home to the largest population of people in the US. With that in mind, it’s not surprising that they also take second place for the most car accident fatalities in the nation.
Each year since 2019, California’s car accident fatalities have accounted for approximately 10% of the U.S.’s total vehicle fatalities. These fatalities vary among minority groups.
Gender
Women in general experience a lower fatality rate than men do in California. This is significantly in part due to the fact that female drivers cause less car accidents overall. For instance, data taken from the LAPD show that over a 9-year span (2010-2019), female drivers in Los Angeles cause approximately only 40% of car accidents.
Age
For those 65 years and older, the fatality rate is relatively low compared to other age groups with only 14 out of 100,000 deaths per year in California reported in 2016.
Race
When it comes to race, it should be considered that minority groups make up the majority of California’s population. As of 2022, the US Census states that 40.3% identify as Hispanic or Latino, while only 34.7% identify as White with the no Hispanic or Latino origin.
Given the data that is currently available, an overall increase in traffic fatalities can be seen for Hispanics in California. In just 4 years, between 2014-2018, the percentage of traffic fatalities increased from 0.3% to 3.9%.
In regard to other races, the data gets less specific for California, but the national average shows that Black/African Americans experience as much as car accident fatalities as Hispanics (15%). The data shows the death rate among Black Americans is 73% higher than that of white Americans. With that said, California’s Hispanic population accounts for 33% more of California’s total population.
For American Indians and Alaska Natives, which only represent 1.7% of California’s population, account for the most car fatalities across the nation. Sadly, American Indian/Alaska Native children between the ages 1-19 account for the highest traffic related fatalities in the US.
Lastly, Asian Americans overall have the least car fatalities. With the lowest car fatality rates across the US, Asian Americans actually account for a significant portion of California’s population at 16.3%.
Making California Safer for All
California is imposing new traffic laws to reduce the amount of traffic fatalities in their state. For example, a new law passed in 2023 requires California drivers to pass cyclists on the road by moving to another lane (if safe to do so) given that many of these car fatalities include pedestrians and bikers being struck by vehicles. In 2024, California will begin enforcing the “Daylighting Law” by restricting parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk, providing safer crossing for pedestrians. New laws, better infrastructures and awareness of the deadly consequences of speeding, distracted driving and driving under the influence may lead to safer streets throughout Califronia.