Bike crashes on Placentia Ave, Costa Mesa

We don't rate streets 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: 28 bike crashes were reported on Placentia Ave in Costa Mesa from 2021–2025, 8 of them serious or fatal. The most were at Placentia Ave & Victoria St (3). 36% were side-impact crashes at junctions (drivers pulling out or turning across). 25% were sideswipes (close passes, right hooks, car doors).

• 36% were side-impact crashes at junctions (drivers pulling out or turning across).
• 25% were sideswipes (close passes, right hooks, car doors).
• 11% happened after dark.

1. Placentia Ave & Victoria St

   3 crashes · 3 serious or fatal

   A mix of crash types

   • No single crash pattern stands out here. Slow down, stay visible, and leave extra room.
   See it on the map

2. Placentia Ave & 18th St

   3 crashes

   Side-impact crashes at the junction

   2 of 3 crashes were broadside: a vehicle hit at an angle, usually a driver pulling out of a side street or driveway, turning across, or running the signal.

   • Slow down approaching the junction, watch drivers' front wheels at side streets and driveways, and don't assume a driver waiting to turn has seen you.
   See it on the map

3. Placentia Ave & Joann St

   3 crashes

   Side-impact crashes at the junction

   2 of 3 crashes were broadside: a vehicle hit at an angle, usually a driver pulling out of a side street or driveway, turning across, or running the signal.

   • Slow down approaching the junction, watch drivers' front wheels at side streets and driveways, and don't assume a driver waiting to turn has seen you.
   See it on the map

4. Placentia Ave & Oriole Dr

   3 crashes

   Side-impact crashes at the junction

   2 of 3 crashes were broadside: a vehicle hit at an angle, usually a driver pulling out of a side street or driveway, turning across, or running the signal.

   • Slow down approaching the junction, watch drivers' front wheels at side streets and driveways, and don't assume a driver waiting to turn has seen you.
   See it on the map

5. Placentia Ave & Wilson St

   3 crashes

   Close passes and cars turning alongside

   2 of 3 crashes were sideswipes: a vehicle alongside, typically a close pass, a right hook, or an opening car door.

   • Ride at least 4 feet from parked cars to stay out of the door zone, and watch for drivers who overtake and then turn right across you.
   See it on the map

6. Placentia Ave & Hamilton St

   3 crashes

   A mix of crash types

   • No single crash pattern stands out here. Slow down, stay visible, and leave extra room.
   See it on the map

Spots with 3 or more reported crashes within about 250 m, worst first.

The busiest hour was 3 p.m..

Where on Placentia Ave do the most bike crashes happen?

Placentia Ave & Victoria St, with 3 reported bike crashes from 2021–2025, 3 of them serious or fatal. Next are Placentia Ave & 18th St (3) and Placentia Ave & Joann St (3).

How do cyclists usually get hit on Placentia Ave?

36% were side-impact crashes at junctions (drivers pulling out or turning across). 25% were sideswipes (close passes, right hooks, car doors). 11% happened after dark.

How many bike crashes happen on Placentia Ave each year?

Reported bike crashes on Placentia Ave in Costa Mesa: 2021: 5, 2022: 4, 2023: 4, 2024: 8, 2025: 7. The latest year can rise as late reports come in.

Where does this data come from?

Police crash reports in the California Crash Reporting System (CCRS), published by the state on data.ca.gov, counted by the street each report names first. Only crashes reported with map coordinates are counted, so the real totals are higher.