784 CRASHES IN
ALABAMA
2015

The temporal patterns of fatal crashes remained broadly consistent between the two periods. Saturday was the peak day for fatal crashes in both 2015 (134 crashes) and 2014 (156 crashes), though the total number of Saturday crashes decreased. The peak hour for fatal crashes was also stable at 5 p.m. in both years, with 51 incidents in 2015 and 48 in 2014.

Fatal crashes in clear weather were stable, with 528 incidents in 2015 compared to 523 in 2014. However, fatal crashes occurring in rainy conditions increased by 60%, rising from 50 incidents in 2014 to 80 in 2015. Regarding lighting, fatal crashes in daylight increased from 349 to 373, while those in unlit dark conditions were nearly unchanged, moving from 275 to 279.

The makes of vehicles involved in fatal crashes showed a consistent pattern, with Chevrolet and Ford being the most frequent in both years. In 2015, 200 Chevrolet and 194 Ford vehicles were involved, up from 190 and 167, respectively, in 2014. Among persons involved, the 35-44 age group saw a notable increase from 232 individuals in 2014 to 285 in 2015.

Fatal crashes were most prevalent in 55 mph and 45 mph zones in both periods. In 2015, there were 231 fatal crashes in 55 mph zones and 193 in 45 mph zones, compared to 206 and 208, respectively, in 2014. The data indicates a slight shift, with the total number of fatal crashes in zones posted at 55 mph or higher increasing from 336 to 379 year-over-year.

In both periods, the most common crash type did not involve a collision with another motor vehicle in transport, which typically represents single-vehicle crashes. This category accounted for 480 incidents (61.2%) in 2015, a decrease from 503 incidents (67.3%) in 2014. In contrast, angle collisions increased from 101 to 141, and front-to-front collisions rose from 75 to 95.

Four-door sedans were the most common vehicle type in fatal crashes in both years, increasing from 328 in 2014 to 370 in 2015. Standard pickups were the second most common, rising from 177 to 212. The involvement of large truck-tractors in fatal crashes increased from 60 to 83, while motorcycle involvement remained stable, with 64 in 2015 compared to 62 in 2014.

The majority of fatal crashes occurred in rural areas in both periods. In 2015, 533 fatal crashes were rural and 251 were urban, compared to 495 rural and 251 urban in 2014. The rural share of fatal crashes increased slightly from 66.3% to 68.0%. Rural roads often have a disproportionately high share of fatalities due to factors such as higher speeds and longer emergency response times.

Arterial roadways accounted for the largest number of fatal crashes in both years. In 2015, 395 fatal crashes occurred on principal and minor arterials, an increase from 325 in 2014. Fatal crashes on Interstates remained unchanged at 94 incidents in both periods, while those on major collector roads decreased from 179 to 153.

In 2015, the majority of fatal crashes, 439 incidents, occurred on roadways owned by the State Highway Agency. County Highway Agency roads accounted for the second-highest number with 232 fatal crashes, followed by City or Municipal Highway Agency roads with 111. Comparative data for 2014 is not available.

Drivers were the most frequent person type involved in fatal crashes, with their numbers increasing from 1,055 in 2014 to 1,181 in 2015. Passengers were the second-largest group, increasing from 508 to 567. The number of pedestrians and bicyclists involved remained relatively stable, with 111 pedestrians and 12 bicyclists in 2015, compared to 108 and 11, respectively, in the prior year.

In 2015, 850 fatalities and 619 injuries were recorded among the 1,881 people involved in fatal crashes. This compares to 820 fatalities and 483 injuries among 1,687 people in 2014. The total number of fatalities increased by 3.7%, while the number of people with serious injuries rose from 228 to 289.

In 2015, 929 vehicle occupants involved in fatal crashes were recorded as using a shoulder and lap belt, an increase from 816 in 2014. The number of occupants reported as using no safety equipment also increased, rising from 518 in 2014 to 548 in 2015. In both years, a substantial number of occupants in fatal crashes were unrestrained.

Frontal impacts ('12 Clock Point') were the most frequent initial point of impact in collisions, increasing from 620 incidents in 2014 to 697 in 2015. This represented approximately 63% of all collisions in both periods. Rear impacts ('6 Clock Point') also increased from 63 to 78, while non-collision events, such as rollovers, decreased from 80 to 72.

Single-vehicle incidents were the most common type of fatal crash in both years, though their count decreased from 476 in 2014 to 446 in 2015. In contrast, the number of two-vehicle fatal crashes rose from 224 to 287. This reflects a shift from single-vehicle to two-vehicle fatal crashes as the primary driver of the overall increase in incidents.