Motorcycle crash hotspots in Hawthorne, CA
- motorcycle crashes, 2021–2025
- 139
- motorcycle crashes, 2021–2025
- serious or fatal
- 23
- serious or fatal
- fatal
- 4
- fatal
Is Hawthorne 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: 139 motorcycle crashes were reported in Hawthorne from 2021–2025, 23 of them serious or fatal (4 fatal). The most were at Imperial Hwy & Prairie Av (17). 11% involved no other vehicle, usually running wide or losing grip. 14% involved a car turning left across the rider.
How motorcyclists crash in Hawthorne
- 11% involved no other vehicle, usually running wide or losing grip.
- 14% involved a car turning left across the rider.
- 34% happened after dark.
Where motorcycle crashes cluster
Spots with 3 or more reported crashes within about 250 m, worst first.
- 0117 crashes · 2 serious or fatal · 1 fatal
Imperial Hwy & Prairie Av
Close passes and cars turning alongside
11 of 17 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.
- 027 crashes · 2 serious or fatal · 1 fatal
Crenshaw Bl & El Segundo Bl
Side-impact crashes at the junction
3 of 7 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. 71% happened after dark.
- Cover your brakes through the junction and watch the front wheels of cars waiting to pull out or turn left. Drivers misjudge how fast a motorcycle is coming.
- Wear bright or reflective gear and use your high beam where you can.
- 036 crashes · 3 serious or fatal
Hindry Av & Rosecrans Av
A mix of crash types
50% happened after dark. Traffic is posted at about 65 mph.
- No single crash pattern stands out here. Ride within your sight distance and keep extra space.
- 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.
- 045 crashes · 3 serious or fatal
El Segundo Bl & Prairie Av
Side-impact crashes at the junction
2 of 5 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. 60% happened after dark.
- Cover your brakes through the junction and watch the front wheels of cars waiting to pull out or turn left. Drivers misjudge how fast a motorcycle is coming.
- Wear bright or reflective gear and use your high beam where you can.
- 057 crashes · 1 serious or fatal
I-105 & Van Ness Ave
Riders hit from behind
4 of 7 crashes were rear-end: hit from behind. 43% happened after dark. 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.
- 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.
- 067 crashes · 1 serious or fatal
I-105 & Hawthorne Blvd
Close passes and cars turning alongside
4 of 7 crashes were sideswipes: a vehicle alongside, typically a close pass, a right hook, or an opening car door. 43% 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.
- 076 crashes
I-405 (San Diego Freeway) & Marine Ave
Close passes and cars turning alongside
4 of 6 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.
- 086 crashes
Crenshaw Bl & 120th St
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.
- 093 crashes · 1 serious or fatal
Hawthorne Bl & 134th St
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.
- Cover your brakes through the junction and watch the front wheels of cars waiting to pull out or turn left. Drivers misjudge how fast a motorcycle is coming.
- 104 crashes
I-405 & El Segundo Blvd
Riders hit from behind
4 of 4 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.
Motorcycle crashes in Hawthorne by year
| Year | Crashes | Serious/fatal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 20 | 2 | |
| 2022 | 39 | 9 | |
| 2023 | 26 | 6 | |
| 2024 | 30 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 24 | 6 |
Common questions about Hawthorne
- Where do the most motorcycle crashes happen in Hawthorne?
- The worst spot is Imperial Hwy & Prairie Av, with 17 reported motorcycle crashes from 2021–2025, 2 of them serious or fatal. Next are Crenshaw Bl & El Segundo Bl (7) and Hindry Av & Rosecrans Av (6).
- How many motorcyclists were killed in Hawthorne?
- 4 crashes killed someone in 139 reported motorcycle crashes in Hawthorne from 2021–2025, and 23 left someone seriously hurt or killed.
- How do motorcyclists usually crash in Hawthorne?
- 11% involved no other vehicle, usually running wide or losing grip. 14% involved a car turning left across the rider. 34% happened after dark.
- How many motorcycle crashes happen in Hawthorne each year?
- Reported motorcycle crashes with map locations: 2021: 20, 2022: 39, 2023: 26, 2024: 30, 2025: 24. 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.
Places to ride to near Hawthorne
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.