Over 10,100 traffic accidents were recorded in El Salvador during the first five months of 2026, resulting in 646 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 May 31, authorities documented 10,190 road accidents, marking a 13.9% increase compared to the same period in 2025, when 8,946 incidents were reported. The average number of accidents per day this year is 65.7.
Traffic accident injuries have also increased this year. So far, officials have reported 6,939 people injured in traffic incidents, a rise of 23.4% from the 5,624 injuries recorded during the same period last year.
Traffic fatalities have also shown a notable increase, going up 25.4% from 515 deaths in the same 2025 period to 646 this year.
Main Causes of Road Accidents in El Salvador
Driver distraction is the leading cause of El Salvador’s traffic accidents, with 2,666 accidents resulting in 1,574 injuries. A momentary lapse behind the wheel quickly turns highways into chaotic crash scenes.
Lane invasion follows, causing 2,148 accidents and 1,605 injuries. Sudden swerves, reckless passing, and blind-spot mistakes often result in severe collisions.
Ignoring traffic signs is another major cause of traffic accidents. It ranks as the third leading cause, contributing to 1,332 accidents and resulting in 1,019 injuries.
Traffic Accident Fatalities
Motorcyclists have been the hardest hit so far this year, with 282 deaths—43.7% of all traffic fatalities—according to the Observatory.
Pedestrians follow with 230 deaths, representing 35.6% 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 282 deaths. Speeding ranks second with 159 deaths, followed by lane invasions, which have resulted in 85 traffic-related fatalities.
Overall, traffic accidents are claiming an average of 4.2 lives per day in El Salvador—roughly one death every 5.8 hours, the report states.
Traffic Accidents by Department
San Salvador has reported the most traffic accidents thus far in 2026, with 3,425 incidents causing 2,831 injuries and 140 deaths—a 13.1% accident increase from the same period last year.
La Libertad ranks second with 1,462 accidents, 707 injuries, and 84 deaths, marking a 5.5% increase from the same period in 2024.
San Miguel is third with 1,162 accidents, 534 injuries, and 47 deaths—a 8.8% increase compared to the same period last year.
Salvadoran authorities report that 1,011 people have been arrested for dangerous driving so far in 2026, reflecting an 13.9% increase compared to the same period in 2025, when 888 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.
