Car crash statistics in South Lake Tahoe, CA

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: 1,554 crashes were reported in South Lake Tahoe from 2021–2025, 362 with an injury and 1 with a death. 23% (California: 40%) of crashes injured someone. 18% (California: 25%) were hit-and-run.

• 23% (California: 40%) of crashes injured someone.
• 18% (California: 25%) were hit-and-run.
• 20% (California: 26%) happened between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
• The busiest hour was 4 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.

The main cause the reporting officer recorded, as a share of all 1,554 crashes. It is the officer's judgement at the scene.

• Unsafe speed28% · 433
• Failing to yield at an intersection or to turn15% · 226
• Unsafe turning or lane change11% · 175
• Driving under the influence11% · 172
• Straying from the lane or driving on the wrong side6% · 93

By type of collision: broadside 28%, rear end 26%, side swipe 18%, hit object 16%.

The latest year can rise as late reports come in, and some police departments file months late.

• 49 crashes (3%) involved a pedestrian. See where they cluster
• 101 crashes (6%) involved a bicyclist. See where they cluster
• 38 crashes (2%) involved a motorcyclist. See where they cluster

How many car accidents happen in South Lake Tahoe each year?

Reported crashes in South Lake Tahoe: 2021: 283, 2022: 301, 2023: 331, 2024: 342, 2025: 297. 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 South Lake Tahoe?

The busiest hour for reported crashes in South Lake Tahoe is 4 p.m.. 20% (California: 26%) happened between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.

What causes crashes in South Lake Tahoe?

The main cause the reporting officer recorded, as a share of all 1,554 crashes: unsafe speed 28%, failing to yield at an intersection or to turn 15%, unsafe turning or lane change 11%, driving under the influence 11%, straying from the lane or driving on the wrong side 6%.

How many people were killed in crashes in South Lake Tahoe?

1 crash killed someone in 1,554 reported crashes in South Lake Tahoe from 2021–2025, and 362 crashes injured someone.

How many crashes in South Lake Tahoe involve pedestrians, cyclists or motorcyclists?

49 involved a pedestrian (3%), 101 involved a bicyclist (6%), 38 involved a motorcyclist (2%), of 1,554 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.