Over 11,500 traffic accidents were recorded in El Salvador during the first six months of 2026, resulting in 734 deaths, according to data from the National Road Safety Observatory, which manages the Fund for Assistance to Victims of Traffic Accidents (FONAT).
From January 1 to June 30, authorities documented 11,509 road accidents, marking a 11.5% increase compared to the same period in 2025, when 10,319 incidents were reported. The average number of accidents per day this year is 63.6.
Traffic accident injuries have also increased this year. So far, officials have reported 7,880 people injured in traffic incidents, a rise of 23.5% from the 6,379 injuries recorded during the same period last year.
Traffic fatalities have also shown a notable increase, going up 22.9% from 597 deaths in the same 2025 period to 734 this year.
Main Causes of Road Accidents in El Salvador
Driver distraction is the leading cause of El Salvador’s traffic accidents, with 3,013 accidents resulting in 1,780 injuries. A momentary lapse behind the wheel quickly turns highways into chaotic crash scenes.
Lane invasion follows, causing 2,411 accidents and 1,812 injuries. Sudden swerves, reckless passing, and blind-spot mistakes often result in severe collisions.
Failure to maintain a safe distance is another major cause of traffic accidents. It ranks as the third leading cause, contributing to 1,506 accidents and resulting in 618 injuries.
Traffic Accident Fatalities
Motorcyclists have been the hardest hit so far this year, with 331 deaths—45.1% of all traffic fatalities—according to the Observatory.
Pedestrians follow with 258 deaths, representing 35.1% of the total. Both groups are classified as vulnerable road users.
So far this year, distracted driving is the leading cause of fatalities, accounting for 242 deaths. Speeding ranks second with 181 deaths, followed by lane invasions, which have resulted in 101 traffic-related fatalities.
Overall, traffic accidents are claiming an average of 4.1 lives per day in El Salvador—roughly one death every 5.9 hours, the report states.
Traffic Accidents by Department
San Salvador has reported the most traffic accidents thus far in 2026, with 3,848 incidents causing 3,168 injuries and 157 deaths—a 10.7% accident increase from the same period last year.
La Libertad ranks second with 1,676 accidents, 814 injuries, and 104 deaths, marking a 4.9% increase from the same period in 2024.
San Miguel is third with 1,317 accidents, 642 injuries, and 54 deaths—a 6.9% increase compared to the same period last year.
Salvadoran authorities report that 1,167 people have been arrested for dangerous driving so far in 2026, reflecting an 12.3% increase compared to the same period in 2025, when 1,039 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.
