Car crash statistics in Uc Santa Cruz, 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: 241 crashes were reported in Uc Santa Cruz from 2021–2025, 136 with an injury. 56% (California: 40%) of crashes injured someone. 16% (California: 25%) were hit-and-run.

• 56% (California: 40%) of crashes injured someone.
• 16% (California: 25%) were hit-and-run.
• 19% (California: 26%) happened between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
• The busiest hour was 1 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 241 crashes. It is the officer's judgement at the scene.

• Unsafe speed44% · 107
• Unsafe turning or lane change14% · 33
• Unsafe starting or backing12% · 29
• Running a red light or stop sign4% · 10
• Failing to yield at an intersection or to turn2% · 6

By type of collision: other 27%, hit object 25%, overturned 10%, side swipe 10%.

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

• 12 crashes (5%) involved a pedestrian.
• 99 crashes (41%) involved a bicyclist. See where they cluster
• 11 crashes (5%) involved a motorcyclist.

How many car accidents happen in Uc Santa Cruz each year?

Reported crashes in Uc Santa Cruz: 2021: 14, 2022: 29, 2023: 50, 2024: 67, 2025: 81. 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 Uc Santa Cruz?

The busiest hour for reported crashes in Uc Santa Cruz is 1 p.m.. 19% (California: 26%) happened between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.

What causes crashes in Uc Santa Cruz?

The main cause the reporting officer recorded, as a share of all 241 crashes: unsafe speed 44%, unsafe turning or lane change 14%, unsafe starting or backing 12%, running a red light or stop sign 4%, failing to yield at an intersection or to turn 2%.

How many people were killed in crashes in Uc Santa Cruz?

No deaths were reported in 241 reported crashes in Uc Santa Cruz from 2021–2025, and 136 crashes injured someone.

How many crashes in Uc Santa Cruz involve pedestrians, cyclists or motorcyclists?

12 involved a pedestrian (5%), 99 involved a bicyclist (41%), 11 involved a motorcyclist (5%), of 241 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.