Motorcycle crash hotspots in Carlsbad, CA
- motorcycle crashes, 2021–2025
- 187
- motorcycle crashes, 2021–2025
- serious or fatal
- 43
- serious or fatal
- fatal
- 4
- fatal
Is Carlsbad safe to ride a motorcycle?
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. What the records show: 187 motorcycle crashes were reported in Carlsbad from 2021–2025, 43 of them serious or fatal (4 fatal). The most were at Cannon Rd & I-5 Cannon Sb Off Ramp (9). 33% involved no other vehicle, usually running wide or losing grip. 9% involved a car turning left across the rider.
How motorcyclists crash in Carlsbad
- 33% involved no other vehicle, usually running wide or losing grip.
- 9% involved a car turning left across the rider.
- 22% happened after dark.
Where motorcycle crashes cluster
Spots with 3 or more reported crashes within about 250 m, worst first.
- 019 crashes · 1 serious or fatal · 1 fatal
Cannon Rd & I-5 Cannon Sb Off Ramp
A mix of crash types
Traffic is posted at about 65 mph.
- No single crash pattern stands out here. Ride within your sight distance and keep extra space.
- Traffic is fast here: at this speed you cross a junction in about a second, so scan early.
- 024 crashes · 2 serious or fatal · 2 fatal
Carlsbad Bl & Solamar Dr (W)
Riders hit from behind
3 of 4 crashes were rear-end: hit from behind. Traffic is posted at about 50 mph.
- Check your mirrors when slowing, flash your brake light, and leave an escape gap when you stop in traffic.
- Traffic is fast here: at this speed you cross a junction in about a second, so scan early.
- 037 crashes · 2 serious or fatal
I-5 & Las Flores Dr
Riders hit from behind
3 of 7 crashes were rear-end: hit from behind. Traffic is posted at about 65 mph.
- Check your mirrors when slowing, flash your brake light, and leave an escape gap when you stop in traffic.
- Traffic is fast here: at this speed you cross a junction in about a second, so scan early.
- 046 crashes · 2 serious or fatal
I-5 & Cannon Rd
Riders hit from behind
4 of 6 crashes were rear-end: hit from behind. Traffic is posted at about 65 mph.
- Check your mirrors when slowing, flash your brake light, and leave an escape gap when you stop in traffic.
- Traffic is fast here: at this speed you cross a junction in about a second, so scan early.
- 054 crashes · 2 serious or fatal
I-5 & Poinsettia Ln
Close passes and cars turning alongside
2 of 4 crashes were sideswipes: a vehicle alongside, typically a close pass, a right hook, or an opening car door. Traffic is posted at about 65 mph.
- Don't linger in drivers' blind spots, and watch for cars changing lanes or turning into driveways alongside you.
- Traffic is fast here: at this speed you cross a junction in about a second, so scan early.
- 064 crashes · 2 serious or fatal
I-5 & La Costa Ave
Falls and fixed objects
2 of 4 crashes were a fall or hitting an object, with no other vehicle involved. Traffic is posted at about 55 mph.
- Enter slower than feels necessary and watch for gravel, sand and diesel. Look through the bend.
- Traffic is fast here: at this speed you cross a junction in about a second, so scan early.
- 075 crashes · 1 serious or fatal
I-5 & Tamarack Ave
Riders hit from behind
4 of 5 crashes were rear-end: hit from behind. Traffic is posted at about 65 mph.
- Check your mirrors when slowing, flash your brake light, and leave an escape gap when you stop in traffic.
- Traffic is fast here: at this speed you cross a junction in about a second, so scan early.
- 085 crashes · 1 serious or fatal
I-5 & Tamarack Ave
Close passes and cars turning alongside
3 of 5 crashes were sideswipes: a vehicle alongside, typically a close pass, a right hook, or an opening car door. Traffic is posted at about 65 mph.
- Don't linger in drivers' blind spots, and watch for cars changing lanes or turning into driveways alongside you.
- Traffic is fast here: at this speed you cross a junction in about a second, so scan early.
- 093 crashes · 2 serious or fatal
Carlsbad Bl & Tamarack Av
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. 67% happened after dark.
- Don't linger in drivers' blind spots, and watch for cars changing lanes or turning into driveways alongside you.
- Wear bright or reflective gear and use your high beam where you can.
- 104 crashes · 1 serious or fatal
I-5 & Las Flores Dr
Close passes and cars turning alongside
4 of 4 crashes were sideswipes: a vehicle alongside, typically a close pass, a right hook, or an opening car door. 50% happened after dark. Traffic is posted at about 65 mph.
- Don't linger in drivers' blind spots, and watch for cars changing lanes or turning into driveways alongside you.
- Wear bright or reflective gear and use your high beam where you can.
- Traffic is fast here: at this speed you cross a junction in about a second, so scan early.
Motorcycle crashes in Carlsbad by year
| Year | Crashes | Serious/fatal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 32 | 7 | |
| 2022 | 39 | 6 | |
| 2023 | 39 | 13 | |
| 2024 | 39 | 11 | |
| 2025 | 38 | 6 |
Common questions about Carlsbad
- Where do the most motorcycle crashes happen in Carlsbad?
- The worst spot is Cannon Rd & I-5 Cannon Sb Off Ramp, with 9 reported motorcycle crashes from 2021–2025, 1 of them serious or fatal. Next are Carlsbad Bl & Solamar Dr (W) (4) and I-5 & Las Flores Dr (7).
- How many motorcyclists were killed in Carlsbad?
- 4 crashes killed someone in 187 reported motorcycle crashes in Carlsbad from 2021–2025, and 43 left someone seriously hurt or killed.
- How do motorcyclists usually crash in Carlsbad?
- 33% involved no other vehicle, usually running wide or losing grip. 9% involved a car turning left across the rider. 22% happened after dark.
- How many motorcycle crashes happen in Carlsbad each year?
- Reported motorcycle crashes with map locations: 2021: 32, 2022: 39, 2023: 39, 2024: 39, 2025: 38. 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. Only crashes reported with map coordinates are counted, so the real totals are higher.
Nearby cities
Source: California Crash Reporting System (CCRS), 2021–2025. Only crashes reported with map coordinates are counted, and many city police reports have none, so these numbers are lower than the real total. Freeway crashes are included: many motorcycle crashes in cities happen on them. Busy streets show more crashes partly because more people use them. Data last rebuilt 2026-09-22. How the data works.