Traffic deaths investigated by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency decreased in 2023, but 560 people still lost their lives in fatal crashes on Alabama roadways.

The numbers mark the second year in a row that ALEA has seen a decline. There were 586 fatal wrecks worked by troopers in 2022.

Troopers investigated a total of 31,717 traffic crashes which resulted in 11,070 injuries in addition to the 560 fatalities. There were 273 fewer crashes in 2023 compared to 2022, but the number of injuries increased by 156 over the previous year.

The statistics, released Wednesday by ALEA, do not include traffic crashes and fatalities worked by other law enforcement agencies.

“While we are constantly striving to reduce the number of crashes and fatalities on our roadways, our work at the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is never done,’’ said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. “There are still families whose loved ones did not return home safely this holiday season and they are grieving for those who were lost in traffic crashes.”

“Tragically,” Taylor said, “our Troopers continue to investigate traffic crashes resulting in individuals failing to return home to their friends and loved ones.”

ALEA for the second year promoted “12 Days of Safety” over the holiday period, which ran from Thursday, Dec. 21, through Monday, Jan. 1. That campaign included topics ranging from winterizing and preparing vehicles for travel to seat belt safety and risky driving behaviors such as impaired and drowsy driving.

Authorities said 19 people were killed during that official nine-day travel period, including two motorcyclists and one pedestrian.

Of the 16 fatality victims traveling in vehicles equipped with seat belts, three were using seat belts, but 12 were not buckled in. Troopers have not determined whether the 16th person was using a seat belt.

The fatal crashes occurred in Calhoun, Chambers, Cleburne, Houston, Jefferson, Lauderdale, Lowndes, Marengo, Montgomery, Russell, St. Clair, Talladega, Tuscaloosa, and Wilcox counties.

“Seat belts are a motorists’ first line of defense, significantly reducing the risk of injuries and fatalities in the event of a collision,’’ said Colonel Jon Archer, Director of ALEA’s Department of Public Safety. “Motorists are reminded to always buckle your seat belt when operating a motor vehicle.”