Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Huntsville, AL recorded 132 traffic deaths in 125 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 11.5 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 72/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 72% of ranked US cities (#25 of 52 in Alabama, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Huntsville, Alabama?
Huntsville has a Road Danger Score of 72/100 (Above-Average Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 125 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 132 people — 11.5 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, below the national average of 12.3.
Huntsville ranks #25 out of 52 ranked cities in Alabama and #599 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 72% of ranked US cities.
Traffic deaths in Huntsville rose 12% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Huntsville’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 125 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Huntsville | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 34 | 27.2% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 29 | 23.2% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 32 | 25.6% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 69 | 55.2% | 49.8% |
Huntsville Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Huntsville, 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 | 27 |
| 2023 | 29 |
| 2022 | 26 |
| 2021 | 24 |
| 2020 | 26 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Huntsville, Alabama?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Huntsville recorded 125 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 132 traffic deaths — an average of 26.4 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Huntsville?
Huntsville has a Road Danger Score of 72/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 72% of ranked US cities. The city averages 11.5 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Huntsville?
Of Huntsville's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 27% involved a drinking driver, 23% involved speeding, 26% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 55% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Huntsville each year?
An average of 26.4 people per year died in car accidents in Huntsville across 2020–2024 (132 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Huntsville more dangerous than in other Alabama cities?
Huntsville ranks #25 of 52 ranked Alabama cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #599 of 2,153 nationally.