Car crash statistics in El Cajon, CA
- crashes, 2021–2025
- 4,680
- crashes, 2021–2025
- with an injury
- 2,954
- with an injury
- with a death
- 55
- with a death
Is El Cajon dangerous to drive?
We don't rate cities as safe or unsafe: crash counts can't say how risky a street is, and busy streets have more crashes partly because more people use them. This page covers traffic crashes, not crime. What the records show: 4,680 crashes were reported in El Cajon from 2021–2025, 2,954 with an injury and 55 with a death. 63% (California: 40%) of crashes injured someone. 22% (California: 25%) were hit-and-run.
What the reports show about crashes in El Cajon
- 63% (California: 40%) of crashes injured someone.
- 22% (California: 25%) were hit-and-run.
- 23% (California: 26%) happened between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- The busiest hour was 5 p.m. (California: 5 p.m.).
- 30% were on a freeway.
Set against all reported crashes in California, 2021–2025. Without traffic counts these can't say how risky a street is.
Main causes of crashes in El Cajon
The main cause the reporting officer recorded, as a share of all 4,680 crashes. It is the officer's judgement at the scene.
- Unsafe speed30% · 1,400
- Unsafe turning or lane change15% · 683
- Failing to yield at an intersection or to turn12% · 584
- Driving under the influence10% · 451
- Running a red light or stop sign9% · 430
By type of collision: rear end 29%, broadside 26%, side swipe 18%, hit object 14%.
What time crashes happen in El Cajon
Crashes in El Cajon by year
| Year | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,012 | |
| 2022 | 883 | |
| 2023 | 834 | |
| 2024 | 994 | |
| 2025 | 957 |
The latest year can rise as late reports come in, and some police departments file months late.
People on foot, on bikes and on motorcycles in El Cajon
- 246 crashes (5%) involved a pedestrian. See where they cluster
- 182 crashes (4%) involved a bicyclist.
- 183 crashes (4%) involved a motorcyclist. See where they cluster
Common questions about crashes in El Cajon
- How many car accidents happen in El Cajon each year?
- Reported crashes in El Cajon: 2021: 1,012, 2022: 883, 2023: 834, 2024: 994, 2025: 957. The latest year can rise as late reports come in, and some police departments file their reports months late.
- What time do most crashes happen in El Cajon?
- The busiest hour for reported crashes in El Cajon is 5 p.m.. 23% (California: 26%) happened between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- What causes crashes in El Cajon?
- The main cause the reporting officer recorded, as a share of all 4,680 crashes: unsafe speed 30%, unsafe turning or lane change 15%, failing to yield at an intersection or to turn 12%, driving under the influence 10%, running a red light or stop sign 9%.
- How many people were killed in crashes in El Cajon?
- 55 crashes killed someone in 4,680 reported crashes in El Cajon from 2021–2025, and 2,954 crashes injured someone.
- How many crashes in El Cajon involve pedestrians, cyclists or motorcyclists?
- 246 involved a pedestrian (5%), 182 involved a bicyclist (4%), 183 involved a motorcyclist (4%), of 4,680 reported crashes from 2021–2025.
- Where does this data come from?
- Police crash reports in the California Crash Reporting System (CCRS), published by the state on data.ca.gov. Every reported crash is counted, whatever the vehicles, and no locations are used.
Nearby cities
Source: California Crash Reporting System (CCRS), 2021–2025. Every crash police reported is counted, whatever the vehicles. Busy streets show more crashes partly because more people use them. Data last rebuilt 2026-10-01. How the data works.