Emergency Vehicle Crash Data: Accident Fatalities Involving Police Vehicles, Ambulances & Fire Trucks

A total of 198 fatalities occurred in accidents involving emergency vehicles during the year 2021. The highest number of fatalities, totaling 135, were attributed to accidents involving police vehicles, followed by ambulances with 39 deaths, and fire trucks with 24 deaths.

Among these deaths involving emergency vehicle crashes, the largest proportion, comprising 56%, were occupants of non-emergency vehicles. Deaths among pedestrians constituted an additional 25%, while emergency vehicle drivers made up 15%, and emergency vehicle passengers accounted for approximately 3% of the total fatalities.

Quick Facts

  • 56% of these deaths were occupants of non-emergency vehicles
  • Deaths among pedestrians accounted for another 25%
  • Emergency vehicle drivers represented 15% of deaths
  • Emergency vehicle passengers accounted for about 3% of the deaths
  • The majority of fatalities from emergency vehicle crashes involve police vehicles
  • When an ambulance responds to an emergency call without using lights and sirens, the crash rate is 4.6 per 100,000 responses. The crash rate increases to 5.5 when lights and sirens are used. The increase in risk is even greater when the ambulance is transporting a victim. The crash risk without lights and sirens is 7.0 per 100,000 transports, and increases to 16.5 when lights and sirens are used throughout the transport.

Total Emergency Vehicle Crash Fatalities By Type (2010 – 2021)

Total Emergency Vehicle Crash Fatalities By Type (2010 - 2021)
YearPolice VehicleAmbulanceFire Truck
20211353924
20201373118
20191223525
20181054715
20171101724
2016832723
2015762812
2014832418
2013902112
2012883515
201182226
2010863114

Source: https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/road-users/emergency-vehicles/

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