876 CRASHES IN
ALABAMA
2018

The temporal patterns of fatal crashes shifted between 2017 and 2018. The most frequent day for fatal crashes moved from Sunday (151 crashes) in 2017 to Friday (143 crashes) in 2018. Similarly, the peak hour for these incidents shifted from 8 p.m. (57 crashes) in the prior year to the afternoon commute at 3 p.m. (53 crashes) in the current year.

Fatal crashes occurring in daylight increased from 395 in 2017 to 432 in 2018, while those in unlit dark conditions decreased from 301 to 277. Although clear weather was the predominant condition in both years, the count of fatal crashes in clear weather dropped from 578 to 538. Conversely, fatal crashes in adverse weather increased, with those in rain rising from 84 to 114 and those in cloudy conditions increasing from 172 to 211.

The top three vehicle makes involved in fatal crashes remained consistent, with Chevrolet (245 vehicles), Ford (192), and Toyota (114) leading in 2018, all showing increases from their 2017 counts of 209, 187, and 108 respectively. A notable demographic shift occurred among younger individuals involved in fatal crashes; the 16-20 age group saw its numbers increase substantially from 168 in 2017 to 235 in 2018. In contrast, the number of persons in the 21-25 age group decreased from 214 to 203.

The distribution of fatal crashes across speed zones shifted between the two periods. While 55 mph zones saw the most fatal crashes in both years, the count increased from 241 in 2017 to 261 in 2018. Conversely, fatal crashes in 45 mph zones decreased notably from 232 to 196. The number of fatal crashes in 70 mph zones also saw a decrease, from 84 in 2017 to 76 in 2018.

Single-vehicle crashes, categorized as 'Not a Collision with Motor Vehicle In-Transport', remained the most common type of fatal incident in both years, though their number decreased from 560 in 2017 to 520 in 2018. In contrast, fatal crashes involving multiple vehicles saw an increase, with angle collisions rising from 126 to 148 and front-to-front collisions increasing from 101 to 131.

Four-door sedans were the most frequent vehicle type in fatal crashes in both periods, with 400 involved in 2018, down slightly from 409 in 2017. The involvement of light pickups increased from 241 to 275. The number of large trucks (truck-tractors) and motorcycles remained relatively stable, with 71 and 79 vehicles involved in fatal crashes in 2018, compared to 73 and 80 in the prior year, respectively.

In 2018, 56.2% of fatal crashes (492 incidents) occurred in rural areas, while 43.8% (384 incidents) occurred in urban settings. This represents a shift from 2017, when rural crashes accounted for a larger share (60.4%, or 522 incidents). While the number of rural fatal crashes decreased, urban fatal crashes increased from 342 in 2017 to 384 in 2018.

The distribution of fatal crashes across roadway functional classes remained highly consistent year-over-year. Arterial roads accounted for the largest number of fatal crashes, with 227 on 'Principal Arterial - Other' and 207 on 'Minor Arterial' roadways in 2018, nearly unchanged from 228 and 206 in 2017. Fatal crashes on Interstates decreased from 111 to 102, while those on Major Collector roads saw a slight increase from 184 to 188.

Roadways owned by the State Highway Agency accounted for the majority of fatal crashes in both years, with the number increasing from 493 in 2017 to 502 in 2018. Fatal crashes on county-owned roads decreased from 248 to 230. Conversely, fatal incidents on city or municipal-owned roadways increased from 123 in 2017 to 144 in 2018.

Drivers were the largest group of individuals involved in fatal crashes, with their numbers increasing from 1,249 in 2017 to 1,315 in 2018. The number of passengers involved also grew, from 532 to 596. In contrast, the number of pedestrians involved in fatal crashes decreased from 128 in the prior year to 109 in the current year.

In 2018, a total of 2,042 people were involved in fatal crashes, resulting in 953 fatalities, a number nearly identical to the 948 fatalities recorded in 2017. While the number of individuals with serious injuries (Label 'A') decreased slightly from 245 to 237, there was a notable increase in minor injuries (Label 'B'), which rose from 211 in 2017 to 309 in 2018.

Reported use of shoulder and lap belts among occupants in fatal crashes increased from 927 individuals in 2017 to 997 in 2018. The number of occupants reported as using no safety equipment or for whom it was not applicable decreased slightly from 569 to 563. Among motorcyclists, the use of DOT-compliant helmets was reported for 59 individuals, down from 62 in the prior year.

Frontal impacts ('12 Clock Point') were the most common initial point of impact in fatal crashes for both periods, and their count increased from 741 in 2017 to 822 in 2018. Rear impacts ('6 Clock Point') also saw an increase, rising from 67 to 86. These two impact types represented the most significant areas of vehicle contact in fatal collisions.

The number of single-vehicle fatal crashes decreased from 521 in 2017 to 482 in 2018. In contrast, the number of two-vehicle fatal crashes increased substantially, rising from 275 to 342. Crashes involving three vehicles saw a decrease from 54 incidents in the prior year to 39 in the current year.