A new traffic safety report from Vaziri Law Group reveals alarming trends across Southern California, with nearly half of California’s motor vehicle deaths in 2023 occurring in just five counties. As the U.S. recorded 40,901 traffic fatalities last year, equivalent to 112 deaths every day, California contributed 4,061, or almost 1 in every 10.
Drunk driving, speeding, and pedestrian-related crashes were the top contributing factors, according to the latest data. And the state’s most densely populated region, Southern California, is bearing the brunt of these tragic outcomes.
5 Counties. 20.7 Million Residents. 2,011 Lives Lost.
Southern California’s five most populous counties, Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino, make up just over 52% of the state’s population but accounted for 49.5% of California’s total traffic deaths in 2023. Together, these counties reported a combined 2,011 fatalities.
| County | Population | 2023 Motor Vehicle Fatalities |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 9.7M | 807 |
| San Diego | 3.2M | 378 |
| Orange | 3.1M | 330 |
| San Bernardino | 2.5M | 278 |
| Riverside | 2.2M | 218 |
Speeding and Drunk Driving: Leading Causes of Death
Speeding was the top cause of road fatalities, contributing to 663 deaths in these five counties, 33% of the total. Los Angeles County alone recorded 299 speeding deaths, followed by Riverside (103), San Bernardino (103), San Diego (83), and Orange County (75).
Drunk driving wasn’t far behind, responsible for 658 deaths. L.A. County again led the region with 265 alcohol-related fatalities, while Riverside (115), San Bernardino (113), San Diego (93), and Orange (72) highlighted how impaired driving cuts across both urban and suburban communities.
Pedestrians Pay the Highest Price
Pedestrians remain one of the most vulnerable groups. Of the 641 pedestrian deaths in the five-county area, Los Angeles accounted for 276, or 43%. San Bernardino (121), Riverside (87), San Diego (84), and Orange (73) round out the numbers, revealing a clear and urgent need for improved walkability, traffic-calming measures, and better pedestrian infrastructure.
Who’s Most at Risk? Young Adults and Men
Motor vehicle fatalities impacted a wide demographic range, but 25 to 34-year-olds suffered the most, with 453 fatalities, 20% of all deaths in the region. Other hard-hit groups include:
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Ages 35–44: 319 deaths
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Ages 45–54: 279 deaths
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Ages 55–64: 259 deaths
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Children under 16: 59 deaths
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Adults 75+: 127 deaths
Meanwhile, men accounted for over 75% of all fatalities, with 1,516 deaths compared to 491 for women. The data aligns with national findings showing men are more likely to engage in risky behaviors like speeding, drunk driving, and forgoing seatbelts.
San Bernardino: The Deadliest County Per Capita
When adjusting for population size, San Bernardino County emerges as the deadliest, with 17.22 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents, more than double that of Los Angeles or San Diego.
| County | Deaths per 100,000 Residents |
|---|---|
| San Bernardino | 17.22 |
| Riverside | 13.24 |
| San Diego | 8.50 |
| Los Angeles | 8.35 |
| Orange | 6.95 |
What Needs to Change?
“Every number in this report is a person, a life lost, a family shattered. And many of these deaths were 100% preventable,” said a spokesperson for Vaziri Law Group. “We need aggressive public outreach, improved road design, stronger DUI enforcement, and a focus on high-risk demographics, especially young men. It’s time to move from data to action.”
With Southern California’s sprawling road systems, high vehicle density, and lagging public transit infrastructure, car dependency is a safety issue. Solutions like better crosswalks, stricter enforcement of dangerous driving, and investments in transportation alternatives could drastically reduce road deaths.
About Vaziri Law Group
The Vaziri Law Group specializes in representing victims of auto accidents, pedestrian injuries, and personal injury cases across California. If you or a loved one has suffered due to a traffic crash, the firm’s experienced attorneys can help you recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, and emotional distress.
