san antonio car accident Statistics
According to the Texas Department of Transportation (2022), San Antonio recorded 39,355 motor vehicle collisions, including 186 fatal crashes resulting in 199 deaths and 542 serious injury crashes causing severe injuries to 625 individuals.
Based on the latest available data, here are the car accident injury statistics for San Antonio, Texas:
Overall Accident Statistics
San Antonio experiences a significant number of car accidents annually, with over 39,000 car wrecks reported in recent years. In 2022, San Antonio had 39,355 motor vehicle collisions, resulting in:
- Nearly 20 people sustaining injuries from auto accidents every day
- One traffic fatality occurring every 1.8 days
Injury Breakdown
According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) data for 2022, San Antonio experienced the following types of crashes:
- 338 truck wrecks
- 456 motorcycle crashes
- 758 pedestrian crashes
- 245 bike accidents
Most Dangerous Intersections
While specific intersection data for San Antonio is limited, some of the most dangerous intersections in Bexar County (which includes San Antonio) are:
- Highway 151 & Loop 410: 65 crashes, 38 injuries, 4 suspected serious injuries
- Bandera Road & Loop 1604: 51 crashes, 37 injuries
- Loop 1604 & Highway 281: 63 crashes, 30 injuries
- Loop 410 & San Pedro Avenue: 52 crashes, 32 injuries
- I-10 & Loop 1604: 60 crashes, 26 injuries, 3 suspected serious injuries
Additional Statistics
- San Antonio is ranked as one of the five worst cities in the United States for drunk driving
- In 2020, there were 47 fatal car accidents involving drunk drivers in San Antonio
- 48.9% of San Antonio car accidents happen at night, while 29.6% occur during daylight hours
- In 2020, Bexar County (which includes San Antonio) reported nearly 50,000 crashes, resulting in 16,781 injuries and 199 deaths
- Approximately 43% of all collisions and 55% of injuries in Bexar County were intersection-related
These statistics highlight the importance of safe driving practices and awareness of high-risk areas in San Antonio to reduce the number of accidents and injuries on the city’s roads.
What are the main factors contributing to the high number of car accidents in San Antonio?
Speeding
Speeding is one of the most common causes of car accidents in San Antonio, especially during rush hours. Many drivers attempt to beat traffic or avoid congestion by speeding, particularly on larger highways where they believe it’s less likely to be caught
Drunk Driving
San Antonio is ranked as one of the five worst cities in the United States for drunk driving. In 2020, there were 47 fatal car accidents involving drunk drivers in San Antonio. Even a single drink can impair judgment and reaction times, leading to accidents.
Distracted Driving
With the rise of smartphones and in-car technology, distracted driving has become a major issue on San Antonio roadways. Drivers checking social media or texting while in traffic contribute significantly to accidents, particularly rear-end collisions
Infrastructure and Road Conditions
San Antonio’s infrastructure, growing population, and poor road conditions are contributing factors to the high number of accidents. Additionally, 1% of San Antonio’s roadways account for 42% of all severe pedestrian crashes, indicating issues with road design and pedestrian safety
Time of Day
Nearly half (48.9%) of San Antonio car accidents happen at night, while 29.6% occur during daylight hours. Late night and early morning hours present increased risks, often linked to factors such as drunk driving and fatigue.
Tailgating
During rush hour, cars often follow too closely behind each other, leading to rear-end collisions. These accidents, while often minor, can cause long-term issues like whiplash and back problem.
Reckless Driving
Reckless behaviors such as excessive speeding, illegal passing, driving on the wrong side of the road, and weaving in and out of lanes contribute to many accidents in San Antonio
How do pedestrian accidents in San Antonio compare to other major cities?
San Antonio’s Pedestrian Safety Ranking
San Antonio ranks poorly compared to many other major U.S. cities in terms of pedestrian safety:
- The San Antonio metro area is ranked as the 28th worst out of 104 metro areas for pedestrian danger, according to the Pedestrian Danger Index.
- San Antonio’s Pedestrian Danger Index score increased from 96.9 in 2014 to 104.5 in 2016, which is significantly worse than the 2016 weighted national average of 64.1
Comparison to Other Cities
San Antonio’s pedestrian safety issues are similar to those faced by other large cities with high Latino populations:
- Cities like Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Jose, and Riverside also struggle with worsening pedestrian safety conditions.
- These cities face challenges related to policy, design, enforcement, and cultural factors that contribute to pedestrian dangers.
