Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Santa Rosa, CA recorded 29 traffic deaths in 28 fatal crashes over the most recent five-year period — 3.3 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 14/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 14% of ranked US cities (#178 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 Santa Rosa, California?
Santa Rosa has a Road Danger Score of 14/100 (Safer Roads Than Most Cities). Over the most recent five-year period, federal crash data recorded 28 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 29 people — 3.3 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, below the national average of 12.3.
Santa Rosa ranks #178 out of 220 ranked cities in California and #1,860 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 14% of ranked US cities.
The most distinctive factor in Santa Rosa's fatal crashes: speeding involved — 43% of fatal crashes, versus 28% nationally.
Traffic deaths in Santa Rosa fell 46% comparing the first two years of the period with the most recent two years.
What’s Behind Santa Rosa’s Fatal Crashes
Share of the city’s 28 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Santa Rosa | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 6 | 21.4% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 12 | 42.9% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 8 | 28.6% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 18 | 64.3% | 49.8% |
Santa Rosa Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Santa Rosa, 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 | 6 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2020 | 7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the car accident statistics for Santa Rosa, California?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Santa Rosa recorded 28 fatal car accidents over the most recent five-year period, resulting in 29 traffic deaths — an average of 5.8 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Santa Rosa?
Santa Rosa has a Road Danger Score of 14/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 14% of ranked US cities. The city averages 3.3 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Santa Rosa?
Of Santa Rosa's fatal crashes over the most recent five-year period, 21% involved a drinking driver, 43% involved speeding, 29% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 64% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Santa Rosa each year?
An average of 5.8 people per year died in car accidents in Santa Rosa over the most recent five-year period (29 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Santa Rosa more dangerous than in other California cities?
Santa Rosa ranks #178 of 220 ranked California cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #1,860 of 2,153 nationally.