We gathered crash from California's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System data for the 50 biggest cities in California and set out to assign each city with an A-F grade which represents the relative danger of driving in a given city compared to another.

Grading Methodology

For each city we gathered the following four crash data points:

• Collision Rate (Total Accidents Divided by Population)
• Speeding Related Accident Rate
• DUI Accident Rate
• Fatality Rate

We then ranked each city – one through 50 – for each of these data points. For instance, if a given city’s collision rate was the 40th highest out of the 50 cities, it was given a score of 40.

After we had a rank for each city for each data point , we totaled the ranks. A lower number represents a safer city in which to drive.

From there, we created a simple grading scale based on the total rank of each city:

• 65 or Under - A+
• 65-74 - A
• 75-79 - A-
• 80-84 - B+
• 85-94 - B
• 95-99 - B-
• 100-104 - C+
• 105-114 - C
• 115-119 - C-
• 120-124 - D+
• 124-135 - D
• 135-139 - D-
• 140+ = F

To clarify, here are a couple of examples:

Long Beach had a high collision rate of one collision for every 78.33 residents. That rate ranked as the 46th highest out of the 50 cities. However, the rate of speeding crashes and DUI crashes in Long Beach rank in the top 10 lowest. The collision fatality rate was also relatively low, clocking in at 12th overall.

So for Long Beach the grading calculation looked like this:

Collision Rate: 46/50
Speeding Crash Rate: 7/50
DUI Crash Rate: 7/50
Fatality Rate: 12/50
Total: 72 – good for an “A”

The high collision rate compared to the relatively low incidents of fatalities indicates that a lot of the crashes in Long Beach are fender benders. These types of crashes present less of a risk than more serious collisions.

Here’s one more example:

Los Angeles earned a “D+” largely because their ranks are middling or worse.

Take a look:

Collision Rate: 38/50
Speeding Crash Rate: 32/50
DUI Crash Rate: 27/50
Fatality Rate: 23/50
Total: 120 – a “D+”

Using rate instead of totals allows for corrections based on city population. For example, the population of Los Angeles is nearing 4 million. The city will clearly have more total accidents than Torrance, a city of 150,000.

By including factors like speeding and DUI rates, we accounted for the risk factor you face from driving in a particular city. If people are participating in driving practices in specific areas, there is greater risk driving there.

The grading systems explains why you may see a city with more total accidents but a higher grade.

Data collected is from the calendar year 2016.

Final Thoughts

We don't usually think of driving as a 'dangerous' activity, but in reality there is a risk every time you're on the road. This isn't supposed to be a scare tactic to keep you from driving. Rather, the goal is to have aware and alert drivers on our roads.

The goal for every city in California should be to earn an "A+" based on the criteria we used.

If you'd like to see the data presented in a different manner, check out the spreadsheet below: