Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Gulf Shores, AL recorded 16 traffic deaths in 15 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 18.4 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 92/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 92% of ranked US cities (#8 of 52 in Alabama, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Gulf Shores, Alabama?
Gulf Shores has a Road Danger Score of 92/100 (High Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 15 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 16 people — 18.4 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, above the national average of 12.3.
Gulf Shores ranks #8 out of 52 ranked cities in Alabama and #165 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 92% of ranked US cities.
Traffic deaths in Gulf Shores fell 50% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Gulf Shores’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 15 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Gulf Shores | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 5 | 33.3% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 1 | 6.7% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 4 | 26.7% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 7 | 46.7% | 49.8% |
Gulf Shores Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Gulf Shores, Alabama from NHTSA FARS. Single-year swings are normal in smaller cities; the Road Danger Score uses the full 5-year window.
| Year | Traffic Deaths |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2020 | 3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Gulf Shores, Alabama?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Gulf Shores recorded 15 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 16 traffic deaths — an average of 3.2 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Gulf Shores?
Gulf Shores has a Road Danger Score of 92/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 92% of ranked US cities. The city averages 18.4 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Gulf Shores?
Of Gulf Shores's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 33% involved a drinking driver, 7% involved speeding, 27% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 47% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Gulf Shores each year?
An average of 3.2 people per year died in car accidents in Gulf Shores across 2020–2024 (16 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Gulf Shores more dangerous than in other Alabama cities?
Gulf Shores ranks #8 of 52 ranked Alabama cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #165 of 2,153 nationally.