Car crash statistics in Palm Desert, CA
- crashes, 2021–2025
- 3,674
- crashes, 2021–2025
- with an injury
- 1,204
- with an injury
- with a death
- 22
- with a death
Is Palm Desert 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: 3,674 crashes were reported in Palm Desert from 2021–2025, 1,204 with an injury and 22 with a death. 33% (California: 40%) of crashes injured someone. 21% (California: 25%) were hit-and-run.
What the reports show about crashes in Palm Desert
- 33% (California: 40%) of crashes injured someone.
- 21% (California: 25%) were hit-and-run.
- 17% (California: 26%) happened between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- The busiest hour was 3 p.m. (California: 5 p.m.).
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 Palm Desert
The main cause the reporting officer recorded, as a share of all 3,674 crashes. It is the officer's judgement at the scene.
- Unsafe speed20% · 751
- Unsafe turning or lane change13% · 485
- Driving under the influence10% · 381
- Running a red light or stop sign10% · 362
- Straying from the lane or driving on the wrong side10% · 362
By type of collision: rear end 32%, broadside 22%, side swipe 21%, hit object 18%.
What time crashes happen in Palm Desert
Crashes in Palm Desert by year
| Year | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 783 | |
| 2022 | 823 | |
| 2023 | 699 | |
| 2024 | 695 | |
| 2025 | 674 |
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 Palm Desert
- 70 crashes (2%) involved a pedestrian. See where they cluster
- 80 crashes (2%) involved a bicyclist. See where they cluster
- 52 crashes (1%) involved a motorcyclist. See where they cluster
Common questions about crashes in Palm Desert
- How many car accidents happen in Palm Desert each year?
- Reported crashes in Palm Desert: 2021: 783, 2022: 823, 2023: 699, 2024: 695, 2025: 674. 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 Palm Desert?
- The busiest hour for reported crashes in Palm Desert is 3 p.m.. 17% (California: 26%) happened between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- What causes crashes in Palm Desert?
- The main cause the reporting officer recorded, as a share of all 3,674 crashes: unsafe speed 20%, unsafe turning or lane change 13%, driving under the influence 10%, running a red light or stop sign 10%, straying from the lane or driving on the wrong side 10%.
- How many people were killed in crashes in Palm Desert?
- 22 crashes killed someone in 3,674 reported crashes in Palm Desert from 2021–2025, and 1,204 crashes injured someone.
- How many crashes in Palm Desert involve pedestrians, cyclists or motorcyclists?
- 70 involved a pedestrian (2%), 80 involved a bicyclist (2%), 52 involved a motorcyclist (1%), of 3,674 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.