Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Riverside, CA recorded 196 traffic deaths in 188 fatal crashes over the most recent five-year period — 12.2 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 76/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 76% of ranked US cities (#28 of 220 in California, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes (5-Yr Total)
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Riverside, California?
Riverside has a Road Danger Score of 76/100 (Above-Average Road Danger). Over the most recent five-year period, federal crash data recorded 188 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 196 people — 12.2 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, below the national average of 12.3.
Riverside ranks #28 out of 220 ranked cities in California and #512 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 76% of ranked US cities.
The most distinctive factor in Riverside's fatal crashes: dark / nighttime conditions — 67% of fatal crashes, versus 50% nationally.
Traffic deaths in Riverside fell 27% comparing the first two years of the period with the most recent two years.
What’s Behind Riverside’s Fatal Crashes
Share of the city’s 188 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Riverside | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 54 | 28.7% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 48 | 25.5% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 69 | 36.7% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 125 | 66.5% | 49.8% |
Riverside Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Riverside, 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 | 22 |
| 2023 | 36 |
| 2022 | 59 |
| 2021 | 38 |
| 2020 | 41 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the car accident statistics for Riverside, California?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Riverside recorded 188 fatal car accidents over the most recent five-year period, resulting in 196 traffic deaths — an average of 39.2 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Riverside?
Riverside has a Road Danger Score of 76/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 76% of ranked US cities. The city averages 12.2 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Riverside?
Of Riverside's fatal crashes over the most recent five-year period, 29% involved a drinking driver, 26% involved speeding, 37% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 67% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Riverside each year?
An average of 39.2 people per year died in car accidents in Riverside over the most recent five-year period (196 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Riverside more dangerous than in other California cities?
Riverside ranks #28 of 220 ranked California cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #512 of 2,153 nationally.