Traffic fatalities decline slightly in Alabama in 2024; impaired driving a major factor in deaths

MONTGOMERY — Alabama saw a decline in traffic fatalities in 2024, according to the newly released Alabama Crash Facts report available online at the Drive Safe Alabama Website.

The report shows 967 motor vehicle fatalities statewide, down from 975 in 2023. Total crashes also fell, from just over 143,000 in 2023 to right above 140,000 in 2024. Injuries decreased by about 3%t.

Even with these improvements, Alabama continues to face challenges in reducing the number of serious crashes. Impaired driving remained a major factor, with 187 fatalities involving suspected alcohol or drug use.

Nearly 60% of people killed on roadways were not wearing seatbelts, and distracted driving remains a key concern. Distractions, such as cellphone use, continue to divert drivers’ attention from the road, leading to preventable crashes and injuries.

Younger drivers remain overrepresented in fatal crashes, with about one in four deaths among drivers 25 or younger. While most crashes occurred in urban areas, the majority of fatalities occurred on rural roads, where higher speeds and longer emergency response times often make crashes more deadly.

Data also shows that 2024’s most dangerous driving hours were between 5 and 6 p.m., and Saturdays remained the most fatal day of the week.

Alabama drivers traveled more than 72 billion miles in 2024, an increase of about 1 percent from the previous year.

“Seeing fewer fatalities in 2024 is an encouraging sign that safety efforts and public awareness are making a difference,” said Drive Safe Alabama Coordinator Amanda Deem. “Still, nearly 1,000 lives were lost on Alabama roads last year. We can prevent most of these deaths by making safer choices like buckling up, limiting distractions and slowing down.”

The Alabama Crash Facts report is developed by the Center for Advanced Public Safety at the University of Alabama using data from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. The full report is available at DriveSafeAlabama.org.