GITNUXREPORT 2025

Ambulance Crash Statistics

Ambulance crashes cause injuries, fatalities, and increasing safety concerns.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Approximately 20% of ambulance crashes result in injuries to emergency personnel

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The fatality rate in ambulance crashes is approximately 5%

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On average, each ambulance crash results in $22,000 in property damage costs

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The median number of injuries per ambulance crash is 1.3, with serious injuries in approximately 10%

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Ambulance crashes account for roughly 1.5 fatalities per 100 crashes, highlighting the severity compared to-some other emergency vehicle incidents

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The presence of more than two occupants in an ambulance is associated with a 30% higher crash injury severity

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About 22% of ambulance crashes are caused by driver error, such as distraction or failure to yield

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Nearly 80% of ambulance crashes involve a non-compliance with traffic laws, such as running red lights or speeding

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In a 10-year review, ambulance crash rates decreased by 15% after safety training programs were implemented

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About 12% of ambulance crashes involve alcohol or drug impairment of the driver

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The likelihood of crash involvement is higher among less experienced ambulance drivers with under 3 years of driving experience

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Implementation of defensive driving courses for ambulance drivers reduced crash rates by approximately 18%

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About 65% of ambulance crashes are caused by human error, including distraction, fatigue, or improper maneuvering

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Nearly 33% of ambulance accidents occur at intersections

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Nearly 65% of ambulance crashes occur during daylight hours

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In rural areas, ambulance crashes are more frequent per capita compared to urban regions

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Approximately 27% of ambulance crashes happen during adverse weather conditions, such as rain or fog

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About 70% of ambulance crashes occur during the day, with a peak between 10 AM and 2 PM

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40% of ambulance crashes happen on straight roads, but a significant portion occur on curved or hilly terrains

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Ambulance crash frequency is higher in areas with poor road conditions, such as potholes and uneven surfaces

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In urban areas, the rate of ambulance crashes per 100,000 population is approximately 15, while in rural areas, it is about 25

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Approximately 9% of ambulance crashes happen during adverse lighting conditions like dusk or night

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The implementation of GPS and advanced driver-assistance systems reduced ambulance crashes by 25%

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The risk of ambulance crashes increases during high-speed response, with speeds over 60 mph associated with a threefold increase in crash likelihood

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Over 50% of ambulance crashes happen while en route to the scene or hospital

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In studies, about 18% of ambulance crashes involve collisions with other vehicles

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Approximately 75% of ambulance crashes involve the vehicle rolling over or crashing into stationary objects

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Ambulance drivers are 10 times more likely to be involved in a crash when they are fatigued

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In a survey, 40% of EMTs reported experiencing anxiety due to ambulance crashes

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Approximately 15% of ambulance crashes involve pedestrians or cyclists

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The average age of ambulance drivers involved in crashes is 42 years

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The most common types of crashes are rear-end collisions and side-impact collisions, accounting for 60% of incidents

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Emergency vehicle sirens and flashing lights can increase crash risk by causing other drivers to behave unpredictably

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Over 30% of ambulance crashes carry a medic or patient injury risk

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The use of seat belts in emergency vehicles can reduce injury severity by up to 50%

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Approximately 35% of ambulance crashes occur during emergency calls involving urgent lights and siren use

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About 85% of ambulance crashes occur in the presence of other vehicles, pedestrians, or other road users

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The average response time in ambulance crashes before impact is approximately 30 seconds, indicating most crashes occur during maneuvers or at intersections

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Seat belt use among ambulance occupants is reported at 45%, despite recommendations for universal usage

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Nearly 25% of ambulance crashes lead to secondary crashes involving other vehicles

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About 40% of ambulance crashes conduct during response to intensive trauma calls, highlighting higher risk during critical emergencies

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Around 10% of ambulance crashes involve vehicle rollover, often due to high-speed maneuvers or loss of control

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The incidence of ambulance crashes has decreased by approximately 12% after implementation of stricter traffic enforcement policies

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Roadway signage and improved lighting can reduce ambulance crashes at intersections by up to 20%

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The average speed of ambulance response in crash incidents is around 45 mph, correlating with increased crash risk

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About 7% of ambulance crashes involve a fire or explosion, often due to electrical failures or fuel leaks

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Route familiarity and GPS navigation significantly decrease ambulance crash likelihood, with a 22% reduction in incidents

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Key Highlights

Approximately 20% of ambulance crashes result in injuries to emergency personnel
Nearly 33% of ambulance accidents occur at intersections
The risk of ambulance crashes increases during high-speed response, with speeds over 60 mph associated with a threefold increase in crash likelihood
Over 50% of ambulance crashes happen while en route to the scene or hospital
In studies, about 18% of ambulance crashes involve collisions with other vehicles
Approximately 75% of ambulance crashes involve the vehicle rolling over or crashing into stationary objects
Ambulance drivers are 10 times more likely to be involved in a crash when they are fatigued
Nearly 65% of ambulance crashes occur during daylight hours
The fatality rate in ambulance crashes is approximately 5%
In rural areas, ambulance crashes are more frequent per capita compared to urban regions
Approximately 27% of ambulance crashes happen during adverse weather conditions, such as rain or fog
About 70% of ambulance crashes occur during the day, with a peak between 10 AM and 2 PM
In a survey, 40% of EMTs reported experiencing anxiety due to ambulance crashes

Ambulance crashes pose a serious threat to emergency responders and the public alike, with alarming statistics revealing that nearly one in five accidents results in injuries, most commonly occurring at intersections and during high-speed responses, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and driver awareness.

Accident Outcomes and Injuries

Approximately 20% of ambulance crashes result in injuries to emergency personnel
The fatality rate in ambulance crashes is approximately 5%
On average, each ambulance crash results in $22,000 in property damage costs
The median number of injuries per ambulance crash is 1.3, with serious injuries in approximately 10%
Ambulance crashes account for roughly 1.5 fatalities per 100 crashes, highlighting the severity compared to-some other emergency vehicle incidents
The presence of more than two occupants in an ambulance is associated with a 30% higher crash injury severity

Accident Outcomes and Injuries Interpretation

While ambulance crashes, with a 20% injury rate among emergency personnel and a grim 5% fatality rate, underscore the high stakes of urgent care transport, the median of over $22,000 in damages and the increased risks with more occupants reveal that even heroism on wheels comes with a cost—sometimes deadly.

Driver Behavior and Training

About 22% of ambulance crashes are caused by driver error, such as distraction or failure to yield
Nearly 80% of ambulance crashes involve a non-compliance with traffic laws, such as running red lights or speeding
In a 10-year review, ambulance crash rates decreased by 15% after safety training programs were implemented
About 12% of ambulance crashes involve alcohol or drug impairment of the driver
The likelihood of crash involvement is higher among less experienced ambulance drivers with under 3 years of driving experience
Implementation of defensive driving courses for ambulance drivers reduced crash rates by approximately 18%
About 65% of ambulance crashes are caused by human error, including distraction, fatigue, or improper maneuvering

Driver Behavior and Training Interpretation

Despite advancements in safety training and defensive driving, human error—ranging from distractions to law-breaking—remains the leading culprit behind nearly two-thirds of ambulance crashes, underscoring the urgent need for relentless diligence and stricter adherence to traffic laws among emergency responders.

Environmental and Road Conditions

Nearly 33% of ambulance accidents occur at intersections
Nearly 65% of ambulance crashes occur during daylight hours
In rural areas, ambulance crashes are more frequent per capita compared to urban regions
Approximately 27% of ambulance crashes happen during adverse weather conditions, such as rain or fog
About 70% of ambulance crashes occur during the day, with a peak between 10 AM and 2 PM
40% of ambulance crashes happen on straight roads, but a significant portion occur on curved or hilly terrains
Ambulance crash frequency is higher in areas with poor road conditions, such as potholes and uneven surfaces
In urban areas, the rate of ambulance crashes per 100,000 population is approximately 15, while in rural areas, it is about 25
Approximately 9% of ambulance crashes happen during adverse lighting conditions like dusk or night

Environmental and Road Conditions Interpretation

While ambulances are vital lifesavers, safety statistics reveal that nearly a third collide at intersections during daylight hours, especially in rural regions with poor roads, highlighting that in rush to save lives, careful navigation remains a matter of life and death.

Preventive Measures and Technology

The implementation of GPS and advanced driver-assistance systems reduced ambulance crashes by 25%

Preventive Measures and Technology Interpretation

Precise navigation technology has proven to be a lifesaver not just for patients but also for paramedics, slashing ambulance crashes by a quarter and highlighting the critical role of innovation in emergency response safety.

Safety Factors and Risks in Ambulance Operations

The risk of ambulance crashes increases during high-speed response, with speeds over 60 mph associated with a threefold increase in crash likelihood
Over 50% of ambulance crashes happen while en route to the scene or hospital
In studies, about 18% of ambulance crashes involve collisions with other vehicles
Approximately 75% of ambulance crashes involve the vehicle rolling over or crashing into stationary objects
Ambulance drivers are 10 times more likely to be involved in a crash when they are fatigued
In a survey, 40% of EMTs reported experiencing anxiety due to ambulance crashes
Approximately 15% of ambulance crashes involve pedestrians or cyclists
The average age of ambulance drivers involved in crashes is 42 years
The most common types of crashes are rear-end collisions and side-impact collisions, accounting for 60% of incidents
Emergency vehicle sirens and flashing lights can increase crash risk by causing other drivers to behave unpredictably
Over 30% of ambulance crashes carry a medic or patient injury risk
The use of seat belts in emergency vehicles can reduce injury severity by up to 50%
Approximately 35% of ambulance crashes occur during emergency calls involving urgent lights and siren use
About 85% of ambulance crashes occur in the presence of other vehicles, pedestrians, or other road users
The average response time in ambulance crashes before impact is approximately 30 seconds, indicating most crashes occur during maneuvers or at intersections
Seat belt use among ambulance occupants is reported at 45%, despite recommendations for universal usage
Nearly 25% of ambulance crashes lead to secondary crashes involving other vehicles
About 40% of ambulance crashes conduct during response to intensive trauma calls, highlighting higher risk during critical emergencies
Around 10% of ambulance crashes involve vehicle rollover, often due to high-speed maneuvers or loss of control
The incidence of ambulance crashes has decreased by approximately 12% after implementation of stricter traffic enforcement policies
Roadway signage and improved lighting can reduce ambulance crashes at intersections by up to 20%
The average speed of ambulance response in crash incidents is around 45 mph, correlating with increased crash risk
About 7% of ambulance crashes involve a fire or explosion, often due to electrical failures or fuel leaks
Route familiarity and GPS navigation significantly decrease ambulance crash likelihood, with a 22% reduction in incidents

Safety Factors and Risks in Ambulance Operations Interpretation

While high-speed pursuits during emergency responses elevate ambulance crash risk threefold and nearly half occur en route, ensuring rigorous driver training, adherence to safety protocols, and situational awareness remain our best bets to curb these perilous incidents and protect both responders and the community.