Sept. 29, 2026, 6:51 a.m. CT
Alabama's traffic-related fatalities reached 962 in 2024, resulting in a death rate of 18.7 per 100,000 residents, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The national average was significantly lower at 11.5 deaths per 100,000, with 39,254 fatalities reported nationwide. Alabama ranked fifth among states for fatality rates based on population, but 17th when adjusted for vehicle miles traveled, with 1.32 deaths per 100 million miles.
Most victims were vehicle occupants, with 321 car occupants, 305 pickup or SUV occupants, 127 motorcyclists, and 128 pedestrians among the deceased. Single-vehicle crashes were particularly deadly, accounting for 56% of fatalities.
Alcohol was a factor in 32% of fatal crashes involving passenger vehicles; speeding contributed to 29% of deaths. Notably, 59% of fatalities occurred on rural roads.
Authorities emphasize that various factors—such as vehicle types, speeds, traffic laws, and environmental conditions—play a role in these statistics.