Motorcycle crash hotspots in San Clemente, CA
- motorcycle crashes, 2021–2025
- 34
- motorcycle crashes, 2021–2025
- serious or fatal
- 12
- serious or fatal
- fatal
- 4
- fatal
Is San Clemente 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. The records for San Clemente are also incomplete: only 36% of its reported motorcycle crashes have a map location, so the numbers here are too low. What the records show: 34 motorcycle crashes were reported in San Clemente from 2021–2025, 12 of them serious or fatal (4 fatal). The most were at I-5 (San Diego Frwy) & Camino De Estrella (5).
How motorcyclists crash in San Clemente
- 35% involved no other vehicle, usually running wide or losing grip.
- 21% happened after dark.
Where motorcycle crashes cluster
Spots with 3 or more reported crashes within about 250 m, worst first.
- 015 crashes · 2 serious or fatal
I-5 (San Diego Frwy) & Camino De Estrella
Riders hit from behind
2 of 5 crashes were rear-end: hit from behind. 40% 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.
- 024 crashes · 2 serious or fatal
I-5 (San Diego Frwy) & Camino De Estrella
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.
- 033 crashes · 2 serious or fatal
I-5 (San Diego Frwy) & Avenida Palizada
Riders hit from behind
2 of 3 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.
- 043 crashes · 1 serious or fatal
I-5 Freeway & Avenida San Luis Rey
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.
- 054 crashes
I-5 (San Diego Frwy) & Avenida Vista Hermosa
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.
Motorcycle crashes in San Clemente by year
| Year | Crashes | Serious/fatal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8 | 4 | |
| 2022 | 5 | 2 | |
| 2023 | 5 | 2 | |
| 2024 | 10 | 2 | |
| 2025 | 6 | 2 |
Common questions about San Clemente
- Where do the most motorcycle crashes happen in San Clemente?
- The worst spot is I-5 (San Diego Frwy) & Camino De Estrella, with 5 reported motorcycle crashes from 2021–2025, 2 of them serious or fatal. Next are I-5 (San Diego Frwy) & Camino De Estrella (4) and I-5 (San Diego Frwy) & Avenida Palizada (3). These counts are too low for San Clemente: only 36% of its reported motorcycle crashes have a map location.
- How many motorcyclists were killed in San Clemente?
- 4 crashes killed someone in 34 reported motorcycle crashes in San Clemente from 2021–2025, and 12 left someone seriously hurt or killed. These counts are too low for San Clemente: only 36% of its reported motorcycle crashes have a map location.
- How do motorcyclists usually crash in San Clemente?
- 35% involved no other vehicle, usually running wide or losing grip. 21% happened after dark.
- How many motorcycle crashes happen in San Clemente each year?
- Reported motorcycle crashes with map locations: 2021: 8, 2022: 5, 2023: 5, 2024: 10, 2025: 6. 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.