Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, San Marcos, TX recorded 63 traffic deaths in 55 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 17.3 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 90/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 90% of ranked US cities (#23 of 195 in Texas, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in San Marcos, Texas?
San Marcos has a Road Danger Score of 90/100 (High Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 55 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 63 people — 17.3 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, above the national average of 12.3.
San Marcos ranks #23 out of 195 ranked cities in Texas and #208 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 90% of ranked US cities.
The most distinctive factor in San Marcos's fatal crashes: speeding involved — 53% of fatal crashes, versus 28% nationally.
Traffic deaths in San Marcos rose 29% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind San Marcos’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 55 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | San Marcos | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 9 | 16.4% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 29 | 52.7% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 15 | 27.3% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 39 | 70.9% | 49.8% |
San Marcos Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in San Marcos, Texas 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 | 8 |
| 2023 | 19 |
| 2022 | 15 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2020 | 13 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in San Marcos, Texas?
According to NHTSA FARS data, San Marcos recorded 55 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 63 traffic deaths — an average of 12.6 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in San Marcos?
San Marcos has a Road Danger Score of 90/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 90% of ranked US cities. The city averages 17.3 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in San Marcos?
Of San Marcos's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 16% involved a drinking driver, 53% involved speeding, 27% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 71% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in San Marcos each year?
An average of 12.6 people per year died in car accidents in San Marcos across 2020–2024 (63 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in San Marcos more dangerous than in other Texas cities?
San Marcos ranks #23 of 195 ranked Texas cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #208 of 2,153 nationally.