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Key Highlights
- California ranks 9th among western states for the highest share of speeding-related fatal crashes, with 31.53% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes involving speeding from 2020 to 2024.
- An average of 1229.6 speeding-related fatal crashes occurred each year in California between 2020 and 2024, out of an average of 3899.2 total fatal motor vehicle crashes annually, with 2021 being the peak year at 1,459 speeding fatal crashes.
- Among western states, Hawaii (44.59%), Wyoming (40.22%) and Alaska (37.74%) lead the region, while California ranks 9th with a rate of 31.53%.
Speeding remains one of the deadliest driving behaviors on U.S. roads, contributing to thousands of fatal crashes each year. From 2020 to 2024, an average of 1229.6 speeding-related fatal crashes occurred each year in California, accounting for 31.53% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in the state. That rate places California 9th among western states and 19th nationally.
The study conducted by Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers analyzed five years (2020–2024) of FARS / CDAN data on speeding-related fatal motor vehicle crashes across all 50 U.S. states. For each state, the average annual number of speeding-related fatal crashes was calculated alongside the average annual total fatal motor vehicle crashes to determine the percentage of all fatal crashes attributable to speeding. States were ranked from highest to lowest percentage to reveal where speeding plays the largest role in fatal crash outcomes.
Western States With the Highest Percentage of Speeding-Related Fatal Crashes
Western States Ranked by Percentage of Speeding-Related Fatal Motor Vehicle Crashes (2020–2024 Average)
| State | Population (2024) | Avg. Annual Speeding Fatal Crashes (2020–2024) | % Speeding-Related | Rank |
| Hawaii | 1,446,146 | 42 | 44.59% | 1 |
| Wyoming | 587,618 | 44.8 | 40.22% | 2 |
| Alaska | 740,133 | 23.4 | 37.74% | 3 |
| Montana | 1,137,233 | 73.2 | 37.08% | 4 |
| New Mexico | 2,130,256 | 142.8 | 35.77% | 5 |
| Colorado | 5,957,493 | 226.8 | 35.23% | 6 |
| Arizona | 7,582,384 | 367.4 | 33.05% | 7 |
| Washington | 7,958,180 | 208.6 | 32.06% | 8 |
| California | 39,431,263 | 1,229.6 | 31.53% | 9 |
| Utah | 3,503,613 | 83.2 | 30.79% | 10 |
| Oregon | 4,272,371 | 155 | 29.92% | 11 |
| Nevada | 3,267,467 | 106.6 | 29.64% | 12 |
| Idaho | 2,001,619 | 51 | 23.42% | 13 |
Among western states, Hawaii (44.59%), Wyoming (40.22%) and Alaska (37.74%) lead the region. California ranks 9th with a rate of 31.53%.
Looking at the study, Chrissy Grigoropoulos, Founder of Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, Commented:
“California’s rate of 31.53% speeding-related fatal crashes, ranking 9th among western states, shows that preventable fatalities remain a serious concern. With an average of 1229.6 speeding-related fatal crashes each year, California drivers should treat speed limits as non-negotiable. Stronger enforcement, safer road designs and public education campaigns could save hundreds of lives across the region.”
California At a Glance: Speeding-Related Fatal Crash Data (2020–2024)
California’s Speeding-Related Fatal Crash Summary
| Data Point | Value |
| Population (2024) | 39,431,263 |
| Speeding Fatal Crashes (2020) | 1155 |
| Speeding Fatal Crashes (2021) | 1459 |
| Speeding Fatal Crashes (2022) | 1308 |
| Speeding Fatal Crashes (2023) | 1195 |
| Speeding Fatal Crashes (2024) | 1031 |
| Total Speeding Fatal Crashes (2020–2024) | 6148 |
| Avg. Annual Speeding Fatal Crashes (2020–2024) | 1229.6 |
| Total Motor Vehicle Fatal Crashes (2020–2024) | 19496 |
| Avg. Annual Motor Vehicle Fatal Crashes (2020–2024) | 3899.2 |
| % Speeding-Related of All Fatal MV Crashes | 31.53% |
| National Rank | 19th |
| Western States Rank | 9th |
California recorded a total of 6,148 speeding-related fatal crashes over the five-year period from 2020 to 2024. The state’s annual speeding fatal crash count ranged from a low of 1,031 in 2024 to a high of 1,459 in 2021, representing a 41.5% increase over that span. In 2024, the count stood at 1,031, a decrease from the 2021 peak and below the 2020 figure. With a 2024 population of 39,431,263, California’s rate of 31.53% places it 9th among western states and 19th nationally.
Methodology
This study analyzed 2020–2024 FARS / CDAN (Fatality Analysis Reporting System / Crash Data Analysis Network) data on speeding-related fatal motor vehicle crashes across all 50 U.S. states. The average annual number of speeding-related fatal crashes for each state was calculated over the five-year period and compared to the average annual total fatal motor vehicle crashes to derive the percentage of crashes attributable to speeding. States were ranked from highest to lowest percentage to identify where speeding is the greatest contributor to fatal crash outcomes.
Data Sources
FARS / CDAN Query (All 50 States): https://cdan.dot.gov/query
Research Dataset: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15M95FXlqAW6wpUyaBIMUUDpR3C05X4W1FRTiuvhJ1DQ/edit?gid=0#gid=0
Study By: https://grigorlaw.com
About Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers
Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers is a premier New York “all injury” law firm representing clients in personal injury, car accidents, workers’ compensation, and no-fault claims.
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