Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Orinda, CA recorded 12 traffic deaths in 11 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 12.4 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 77/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 77% of ranked US cities (#23 of 220 in California, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Orinda, California?
Orinda has a Road Danger Score of 77/100 (Above-Average Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 11 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 12 people — 12.4 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, above the national average of 12.3.
Orinda ranks #23 out of 220 ranked cities in California and #491 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 77% of ranked US cities.
The most distinctive factor in Orinda's fatal crashes: speeding involved — 46% of fatal crashes, versus 28% nationally.
Traffic deaths in Orinda fell 20% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Orinda’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 11 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Orinda | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 4 | 36.4% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 5 | 45.5% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 1 | 9.1% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 5 | 45.5% | 49.8% |
Orinda Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Orinda, 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 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2020 | 3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Orinda, California?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Orinda recorded 11 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 12 traffic deaths — an average of 2.4 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Orinda?
Orinda has a Road Danger Score of 77/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 77% of ranked US cities. The city averages 12.4 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Orinda?
Of Orinda's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 36% involved a drinking driver, 46% involved speeding, 9% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 46% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Orinda each year?
An average of 2.4 people per year died in car accidents in Orinda across 2020–2024 (12 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Orinda more dangerous than in other California cities?
Orinda ranks #23 of 220 ranked California cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #491 of 2,153 nationally.