Car crash statistics in La Mesa, CA
- crashes, 2021–2025
- 3,131
- crashes, 2021–2025
- with an injury
- 1,575
- with an injury
- with a death
- 21
- with a death
Is La Mesa 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: 3,131 crashes were reported in La Mesa from 2021–2025, 1,575 with an injury and 21 with a death. 50% (California: 40%) of crashes injured someone. 23% (California: 25%) were hit-and-run.
What the reports show about crashes in La Mesa
- 50% (California: 40%) of crashes injured someone.
- 23% (California: 25%) were hit-and-run.
- 26% (California: 26%) happened between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- The busiest hour was 5 p.m. (California: 5 p.m.).
- 54% 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 La Mesa
The main cause the reporting officer recorded, as a share of all 3,131 crashes. It is the officer's judgement at the scene.
- Unsafe speed31% · 986
- Unsafe turning or lane change20% · 629
- Driving under the influence14% · 434
- Straying from the lane or driving on the wrong side10% · 301
- Running a red light or stop sign6% · 174
By type of collision: rear end 34%, side swipe 22%, hit object 19%, broadside 14%.
What time crashes happen in La Mesa
Crashes in La Mesa by year
| Year | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 661 | |
| 2022 | 544 | |
| 2023 | 601 | |
| 2024 | 661 | |
| 2025 | 664 |
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 La Mesa
- 96 crashes (3%) involved a pedestrian.
- 51 crashes (2%) involved a bicyclist.
- 133 crashes (4%) involved a motorcyclist. See where they cluster
Common questions about crashes in La Mesa
- How many car accidents happen in La Mesa each year?
- Reported crashes in La Mesa: 2021: 661, 2022: 544, 2023: 601, 2024: 661, 2025: 664. 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 La Mesa?
- The busiest hour for reported crashes in La Mesa is 5 p.m.. 26% (California: 26%) happened between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- What causes crashes in La Mesa?
- The main cause the reporting officer recorded, as a share of all 3,131 crashes: unsafe speed 31%, unsafe turning or lane change 20%, driving under the influence 14%, straying from the lane or driving on the wrong side 10%, running a red light or stop sign 6%.
- How many people were killed in crashes in La Mesa?
- 21 crashes killed someone in 3,131 reported crashes in La Mesa from 2021–2025, and 1,575 crashes injured someone.
- How many crashes in La Mesa involve pedestrians, cyclists or motorcyclists?
- 96 involved a pedestrian (3%), 51 involved a bicyclist (2%), 133 involved a motorcyclist (4%), of 3,131 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.