Pedestrian crash hotspots in Palm Desert, CA
47 pedestrian crashes were reported in Palm Desert from 2021–2025, 10 of them serious or fatal (4 fatal). Below are the spots where they keep happening, what usually goes wrong at each one, and what to watch for.
Also: Bike crash hotspots in Palm Desert (72 crashes)
How people on foot get hit in Palm Desert
- 30% involved a driver turning, 13% turning left.
- 40% of the people hit were in a crosswalk at an intersection.
- 23% were crossing away from a crosswalk.
- 47% happened after dark.
Where pedestrian crashes cluster
Spots with 3 or more reported crashes within about 250 m, worst first.
1. Hwy 111 & Deep Canyon Rd
3 crashes · 1 serious or fatal · 1 fatalA mix of crash types
Of 3 people hit here, 2 were in a crosswalk at the intersection. Traffic is posted at about 45 mph.
- → No single crash pattern stands out here. Cross with the signal, and check for turning drivers before you step out.
- → Traffic is fast here. Use signalized crossings rather than crossing mid-block.
2. Fred Waring Dr & Town Center Way
4 crashes · 1 serious or fatalDrivers turning right into people crossing
In 3 of 4 crashes a driver was turning right. Traffic is posted at about 45 mph.
- → Watch for drivers turning right, including on a red light. They look left for traffic and often miss people on their right, so make eye contact before you step out.
- → Traffic is fast here. Use signalized crossings rather than crossing mid-block.
3. Hwy 111 & San Pablo Ave
4 crashesPeople hit walking in the road
2 of 4 people were in the road or on the shoulder when they were hit, not crossing. 75% happened after dark. Traffic is posted at about 45 mph.
- → Stay out of the traffic lane: check behind you before stepping out from a parked car, and where there's no sidewalk, walk facing traffic as far from the lane as you can.
- → Wear something light or reflective, and cross where the street is lit.
- → Traffic is fast here. Use signalized crossings rather than crossing mid-block.
Pedestrian crashes in Palm Desert by year
| Year | Crashes | Serious/fatal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10 | 1 | |
| 2022 | 12 | 3 | |
| 2023 | 8 | 5 | |
| 2024 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 10 | 1 |
Common questions about Palm Desert
- Where do the most pedestrian crashes happen in Palm Desert?
- The worst spot is Hwy 111 & Deep Canyon Rd, with 3 reported pedestrian crashes from 2021–2025, 1 of them serious or fatal. Next are Fred Waring Dr & Town Center Way (4) and Hwy 111 & San Pablo Ave (4).
- How many pedestrians were killed in Palm Desert?
- 4 crashes killed someone in 47 reported pedestrian crashes in Palm Desert from 2021–2025, and 10 left someone seriously hurt or killed.
- How do pedestrians usually get hit in Palm Desert?
- 30% involved a driver turning, 13% turning left. 40% of the people hit were in a crosswalk at an intersection. 23% were crossing away from a crosswalk. 47% happened after dark.
- How many pedestrian crashes happen in Palm Desert each year?
- Reported pedestrian crashes with map locations: 2021: 10, 2022: 12, 2023: 8, 2024: 7, 2025: 10. 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. Crashes on freeways are left out. Busy streets show more crashes partly because more people use them. Data last rebuilt 2026-09-23. How the data works.