Pedestrian crashes on El Camino Real, San Mateo

We don't rate streets 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. This page covers traffic crashes, not crime. What the records show: 20 pedestrian crashes were reported on El Camino Real in San Mateo from 2021–2025, 1 of them serious or fatal (1 fatal). The most were at El Camino Real & 5th Ave (5). 35% involved a driver turning, 25% turning left. 50% of the people hit were in a crosswalk at an intersection.

• 35% involved a driver turning, 25% turning left.
• 50% of the people hit were in a crosswalk at an intersection.
• 20% were crossing away from a crosswalk.
• 35% happened after dark.
• 10% were hit-and-run.

1. El Camino Real & 5th Ave

   5 crashes

   Drivers turning left into people crossing

   In 3 of 5 crashes a driver was turning left. 4 of 5 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.
   See it on the map

2. El Camino Real & 28th Ave

   4 crashes

   A mix of crash types

   Of 4 people hit here, 2 were in a crosswalk at the intersection. 50% happened after dark.

   • 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.
   See it on the map

3. El Camino Real & Curbline Prolongation Of 9th Ave

   3 crashes

   People hit walking in the road

   2 of 3 people were in the road or on the shoulder when they were hit, not crossing. 67% happened after dark.

   • 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.
   See it on the map

Spots with 3 or more reported crashes within about 250 m, worst first.

The busiest hour was 3 p.m..

Where on El Camino Real do the most pedestrian crashes happen?

El Camino Real & 5th Ave, with 5 reported pedestrian crashes from 2021–2025. Next are El Camino Real & 28th Ave (4) and El Camino Real & Curbline Prolongation Of 9th Ave (3).

How do pedestrians usually get hit on El Camino Real?

35% involved a driver turning, 25% turning left. 50% of the people hit were in a crosswalk at an intersection. 20% were crossing away from a crosswalk. 35% happened after dark. 10% were hit-and-run.

How many pedestrian crashes happen on El Camino Real each year?

Reported pedestrian crashes on El Camino Real in San Mateo: 2021: 1, 2022: 3, 2023: 4, 2024: 4, 2025: 8. 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, counted by the street each report names first. Only crashes reported with map coordinates are counted, so the real totals are higher.