Traffic crashes have killed more people than homicides in Los Angeles for three consecutive years. The 2026 toll is on pace to be even worse.

City Controller Kenneth Mejia posted the comparison on Monday, Sept. 21, linking to data showing fatal collisions are running ahead of last year. The city recorded 290 traffic fatalities in 2025, according to the Controller's office. LAist reported an 8% increase in fatal crashes through the end of August, citing LAPD data.

The numbers landed less than a week after safe-streets advocates rallied outside City Hall. On Tuesday, Sept. 15, the groups Streets Are For Everyone (SAFE) and Families for Safe Streets called on Mayor Karen Bass and the City Council to declare a formal State of Emergency over rising traffic deaths, as first reported by Streetsblog Los Angeles.

Sandra Loulakis, whose son Joey was killed in a crash in September 2025, spoke at the rally. So did SAFE Executive Director Damian Kevitt, who lost his leg in a car crash.

"We know exactly what to do … We know exactly what roads are dangerous," Kevitt told the crowd at the Tuesday, Sept. 15, rally. He said the mayor and council have not made traffic safety a priority.

Mejia also laid out the staffing picture. Between fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2026, the Bureau of Street Services lost 406 positions, a 26% cut. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) lost 285 positions, down 16%. The Bureau of Engineering lost 120 positions, a 12% reduction.

The cuts are deep.

A citywide hiring freeze remains in effect until January 2027, Mejia said. That means those departments are still operating at reduced levels.

According to SAFE, traffic fatalities in 2025 were 56% higher than in 2015, the year Los Angeles adopted its Vision Zero policy to eliminate traffic deaths. SAFE has submitted a letter to Bass and the council requesting the emergency declaration, along with increased LADOT staffing and faster implementation of road safety projects already in the pipeline. Kevitt also called for the city to launch its delayed speed camera system, which he said would save lives and help fund further improvements.

No public response from the mayor's office or LADOT regarding the advocates' demands has appeared as of publication. No council hearing on the emergency request has been scheduled.

Residents can report dangerous road conditions through LA's 311 service by calling 311 or visiting lacity.gov/311.