SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — A total of 1,238 people were killed, and 13,285 were injured in traffic accidents in El Salvador, according to updated figures from the National Road Safety Observatory (FONAT).
Traffic accidents rose from 20,301 in 2024 to 22,265 in 2025, an increase of 1,964 cases, or 9.7%.
Injuries also climbed sharply. The number of people hurt in crashes grew by 1,331, from 11,954 in 2024 to 13,285 in 2025, an 11.1% increase.
Fatalities, however, went down. Traffic deaths fell from 1,303 to 1,238, a reduction of 65 lives, equivalent to a modest 5% decline.
Main Causes of Road Accidents in El Salvador
Driver distraction was the leading cause of El Salvador’s traffic accidents, totaling 5,633 accidents resulting in 3,050 injuries. A momentary lapse behind the wheel quickly turns highways into chaotic crash scenes.
Lane invasion followed, causing 4,762 accidents and 3,120 injuries. Sudden swerves, reckless passing, and blind-spot mistakes often result in severe collisions.
Following too close is another common trigger, responsible for 3,057 accidents and 1,018 injuries. Tailgating on crowded roads leaves drivers no room to brake, turning minor slowdowns into rear-end impacts.
Traffic Accident Fatalities
In 2025, pedestrians were the most affected group, accounting for 499 deaths, or 40.3% of total fatalities, according to the Observatory.
Motorcyclists were the second most affected, with 498 deaths, representing 40.2% of the total. The remaining fatalities included 35 cyclists.
Last year, driver distractions resulted in 441 fatalities, speeding resulted in 250 deaths, and lane invasions led to 178 traffic-related fatalities.
On average, 3.4 people die daily in traffic accidents in El Salvador in 2025, equating to one fatality every 7.1 hours, according to the report.
Traffic Accidents by Department
San Salvador reported the most traffic accidents in 2025, with 7,551 incidents causing 5,335 injuries and 279 deaths—a 19.3% increase from the previous year.
La Libertad ranked second with 3,276 accidents, 1,449 injuries, and 178 deaths, marking a 8.1% decrease from 2024.
San Miguel was third with 2,728 accidents, 1,137 injuries, and 101 deaths—a 10.4% increase compared to the previous year.
Also, Salvadoran authorities reported that 2,311 people were arrested for dangerous driving in 2025, reflecting an 5.8% decrease compared to 2024, when 2,311 arrests were made.
Traffic accidents are a major issue in El Salvador, often caused by reckless driving, poor road conditions, and overcrowded streets, leading to injuries, fatalities, and economic burdens nationwide.
