The Los Angeles county area recorded 744 traffic fatalities in 2024, representing 19.2% of all roadway deaths across California and outdistancing every other jurisdiction in the state, according to a traffic safety study published by Omega Law Group.
Los Angeles County Traffic Deaths Surge Past State Totals
According to the Omega Law Group study analyzing 3,876 statewide traffic fatalities across 3,583 fatal crashes in 2024, Los Angeles County recorded more roadway deaths than San Bernardino and San Diego counties combined. San Bernardino County placed second with 345 deaths, representing 8.9% of the state total, while San Diego County followed in third with 298 deaths, accounting for 7.7%. Combined, San Bernardino and San Diego reported 643 fatalities.
Riverside County registered 279 deaths, or 7.2% of the statewide total, rounding out the top four Southern California jurisdictions. Southern California as a whole absorbed the heaviest concentration of roadway casualties, with Los Angeles, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Riverside collectively accounting for 1,666 fatalities—roughly 43% of all traffic deaths in California.
Per Capita Fatality Rates Contrast With Absolute Volume
While Los Angeles County holds the highest absolute number of traffic deaths in California, its per capita rate tells a different story.
By contrast, Kern County recorded 190 deaths—matching Orange County’s total of 190—yet Kern County yielded a much higher risk profile due to a significantly smaller population. Kern County’s fatality rate reached 20.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, compared to 6.0 deaths per 100,000 residents in Orange County. San Bernardino County logged a rate of 15.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, while Fresno County recorded 16.2 and San Joaquin County stood at 17.7.
City Versus County Jurisdiction Breakdown
The geographic distribution of fatalities within Los Angeles County highlights a sharp division between municipal and county-wide infrastructure management. According to records from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), 303 deaths occurred within the city limits of Los Angeles. The remaining roughly 440 fatalities happened outside LAPD jurisdiction, spanning unincorporated areas and other municipalities within the county.
The city ultimately closed 2025 with 290 traffic fatalities. However, LADOT holds no authority over suburban cities and unincorporated zones like Lancaster, Pomona, and Long Beach, where a significant portion of the county's total roadway deaths occurred.
California County Fatality Rankings for 2024
| Position | County | Fatalities | Percentage of State Total | Deaths per 100,000 Residents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles | 744 | 19.2% | 7.5 |
| 2 | San Bernardino | 345 | 8.9% | 15.7 |
| 3 | San Diego | 298 | 7.7% | 9.0 |
| 4 | Riverside | 279 | 7.2% | 11.3 |
| 5 | Kern | 190 | 4.9% | 20.5 |
| 6 | Orange | 190 | 4.9% | 6.0 |
| 7 | Fresno | 167 | 4.3% | 16.2 |
| 8 | Sacramento | 155 | 4.0% | 9.6 |
| 9 | San Joaquin | 143 | 3.7% | 17.7 |
| 10 | Alameda | 104 | 2.7% | 6.3 |