Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Desert Hot Springs, CA recorded 34 traffic deaths in 33 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 20.1 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 94/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 94% of ranked US cities (#4 of 220 in California, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Desert Hot Springs, California?
Desert Hot Springs has a Road Danger Score of 94/100 (High Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 33 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 34 people — 20.1 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, above the national average of 12.3.
Desert Hot Springs ranks #4 out of 220 ranked cities in California and #121 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 94% of ranked US cities.
The most distinctive factor in Desert Hot Springs's fatal crashes: dark / nighttime conditions — 70% of fatal crashes, versus 50% nationally.
Traffic deaths in Desert Hot Springs fell 25% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Desert Hot Springs’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 33 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Desert Hot Springs | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 13 | 39.4% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 12 | 36.4% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 13 | 39.4% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 23 | 69.7% | 49.8% |
Desert Hot Springs Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Desert Hot Springs, California from NHTSA FARS. Single-year swings are normal in smaller cities; the Road Danger Score uses the full 5-year window.
| Year | Traffic Deaths |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2020 | 8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Desert Hot Springs, California?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Desert Hot Springs recorded 33 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 34 traffic deaths — an average of 6.8 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Desert Hot Springs?
Desert Hot Springs has a Road Danger Score of 94/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 94% of ranked US cities. The city averages 20.1 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Desert Hot Springs?
Of Desert Hot Springs's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 39% involved a drinking driver, 36% involved speeding, 39% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 70% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Desert Hot Springs each year?
An average of 6.8 people per year died in car accidents in Desert Hot Springs across 2020–2024 (34 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Desert Hot Springs more dangerous than in other California cities?
Desert Hot Springs ranks #4 of 220 ranked California cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #121 of 2,153 nationally.