Pedestrian crash hotspots in San Luis Obispo, CA
109 pedestrian crashes were reported in San Luis Obispo from 2021–2025, 27 of them serious or fatal (3 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 San Luis Obispo (172 crashes)
How people on foot get hit in San Luis Obispo
- 46% involved a driver turning, 31% turning left.
- 50% of the people hit were in a crosswalk at an intersection.
- 22% were crossing away from a crosswalk.
- 31% happened after dark.
Where pedestrian crashes cluster
Spots with 3 or more reported crashes within about 250 m, worst first.
1. Foothill Bl & Casa St
7 crashes · 4 serious or fatal · 2 fatalDrivers turning left into people crossing
In 3 of 7 crashes a driver was turning left. 43% happened after dark.
- → Before you step out, look for drivers turning left from the far side of the junction. They are watching for a gap in oncoming traffic, not for you.
- → Wear something light or reflective, and cross where the street is lit.
2. Santa Rosa St & Higuera St
8 crashes · 1 serious or fatalDrivers turning left into people crossing
In 3 of 8 crashes a driver was turning left. 7 of 8 people were in the crosswalk at the intersection: having the right of way didn't protect them. 50% happened after dark.
- → Before you step out, look for drivers turning left from the far side of the junction. They are watching for a gap in oncoming traffic, not for you.
- → Wear something light or reflective, and cross where the street is lit.
3. Santa Rosa & Oak
5 crashes · 2 serious or fatalPeople hit crossing mid-block
3 of 5 people were crossing away from a crosswalk.
- → Cross at the nearest signal or crosswalk here, even if it's out of your way. Drivers don't expect people mid-block.
4. Broad St & Industrial Way
4 crashes · 2 serious or fatalPeople hit walking in the road
2 of 4 people were in the road or on the shoulder when they were hit, not crossing. 50% happened after dark. Traffic is posted at about 40 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.
5. Broad & Woodbridge
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. 67% happened after dark. Traffic is posted at about 40 mph.
- → No single crash pattern stands out here. Cross with the signal, and check for turning drivers before you step out.
- → Wear something light or reflective, and cross where the street is lit.
- → Traffic is fast here. Use signalized crossings rather than crossing mid-block.
6. Morro St & Monterey St
7 crashesA mix of crash types
Of 7 people hit here, 4 were in a crosswalk at the intersection and 2 were crossing away from a crosswalk.
- → No single crash pattern stands out here. Cross with the signal, and check for turning drivers before you step out.
7. Santa Rosa St & Peach St
6 crashesPeople hit crossing mid-block
2 of 6 people were crossing away from a crosswalk. 50% happened after dark.
- → Cross at the nearest signal or crosswalk here, even if it's out of your way. Drivers don't expect people mid-block.
- → Wear something light or reflective, and cross where the street is lit.
8. Monterey & Johnson
4 crashes · 1 serious or fatalDrivers turning left into people crossing
In 2 of 4 crashes a driver was turning left. 3 of 4 people were in the crosswalk at the intersection: having the right of way didn't protect them.
- → Before you step out, look for drivers turning left from the far side of the junction. They are watching for a gap in oncoming traffic, not for you.
9. Marsh St & Chorro St
6 crashesDrivers turning left into people crossing
In 4 of 6 crashes a driver was turning left. 4 of 6 people were in the crosswalk at the intersection: having the right of way didn't protect them.
- → Before you step out, look for drivers turning left from the far side of the junction. They are watching for a gap in oncoming traffic, not for you.
10. Foothill & Chorro
3 crashes · 1 serious or fatalDrivers turning left into people crossing
In 2 of 3 crashes a driver was turning left. 2 of 3 people were in the crosswalk at the intersection: having the right of way didn't protect them.
- → Before you step out, look for drivers turning left from the far side of the junction. They are watching for a gap in oncoming traffic, not for you.
Pedestrian crashes in San Luis Obispo by year
| Year | Crashes | Serious/fatal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 23 | 7 | |
| 2022 | 27 | 4 | |
| 2023 | 19 | 6 | |
| 2024 | 16 | 3 | |
| 2025 | 24 | 7 |
Common questions about San Luis Obispo
- Where do the most pedestrian crashes happen in San Luis Obispo?
- The worst spot is Foothill Bl & Casa St, with 7 reported pedestrian crashes from 2021–2025, 4 of them serious or fatal. Next are Santa Rosa St & Higuera St (8) and Santa Rosa & Oak (5).
- How many pedestrians were killed in San Luis Obispo?
- 3 crashes killed someone in 109 reported pedestrian crashes in San Luis Obispo from 2021–2025, and 27 left someone seriously hurt or killed.
- How do pedestrians usually get hit in San Luis Obispo?
- 46% involved a driver turning, 31% turning left. 50% of the people hit were in a crosswalk at an intersection. 22% were crossing away from a crosswalk. 31% happened after dark.
- How many pedestrian crashes happen in San Luis Obispo each year?
- Reported pedestrian crashes with map locations: 2021: 23, 2022: 27, 2023: 19, 2024: 16, 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.
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.