What the latest available California crash records show.
5,493 crashes were reported during the 3 p.m. hour, the busiest hour in this window. The highest qualifying serious-or-fatal share occurred at 3 a.m. Explore why timing and place tell different stories.
Counts may change as agencies revise public records.
The crash clock
Busy hours and serious outcomes tell different stories.
5,493 reported crashes occurred during the 3 p.m. hour. 63 of 1,070 crashes at 3 a.m. involved fatal or suspected-serious injuries (5.9%).
The statewide serious-or-fatal share is 3.5% (2,610 of 75,059). These are shares of reported crashes, not the chance of a crash per trip.
Exact hourly figures and comparison rules
The highlighted serious-or-fatal hour requires at least 30 crashes and 5 serious-or-fatal crashes. Each chart has its own scale.
| Hour | Crashes | Serious or fatal | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 a.m. | 2,080 | 85 | 4.1% |
| 1 a.m. | 1,388 | 65 | 4.7% |
| 2 a.m. | 1,337 | 66 | 4.9% |
| 3 a.m. | 1,070 | 63 | 5.9% |
| 4 a.m. | 1,193 | 51 | 4.3% |
| 5 a.m. | 1,774 | 68 | 3.8% |
| 6 a.m. | 2,565 | 74 | 2.9% |
| 7 a.m. | 4,159 | 121 | 2.9% |
| 8 a.m. | 4,590 | 92 | 2.0% |
| 9 a.m. | 3,059 | 77 | 2.5% |
| 10 a.m. | 3,021 | 88 | 2.9% |
| 11 a.m. | 3,138 | 91 | 2.9% |
| 12 p.m. | 3,577 | 108 | 3.0% |
| 1 p.m. | 3,943 | 120 | 3.0% |
| 2 p.m. | 4,691 | 148 | 3.2% |
| 3 p.m. | 5,493 | 164 | 3.0% |
| 4 p.m. | 5,335 | 148 | 2.8% |
| 5 p.m. | 5,132 | 165 | 3.2% |
| 6 p.m. | 4,152 | 167 | 4.0% |
| 7 p.m. | 3,540 | 175 | 4.9% |
| 8 p.m. | 3,214 | 144 | 4.5% |
| 9 p.m. | 2,531 | 127 | 5.0% |
| 10 p.m. | 2,164 | 121 | 5.6% |
| 11 p.m. | 1,913 | 82 | 4.3% |
Streets the data keeps returning to.
Where serious outcomes make up a larger share.
These ZIPs clear a meaningful volume threshold, then rank by the share of crashes with fatal or suspected-serious injuries.
Places gaining crash volume.
A simple same-length comparison highlights where recent volume is moving, with minimum counts in both periods to reduce noise.
Take statewide patterns down to the road and route level.
Buffer reported CCRS collisions, elevation grade, and weather along any California commute or corridor.
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