By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

Two cities within Shelby County have been recognized as cities where the fewest traffic fatalities are likely to occur when compared to other cities across the state, according to data collected from the website Consumeraffairs.com.

Both Pelham and Helena were ranked in the top five when ranking the least amount of total deaths on average per 100,000 population.

The website created an interactive map that breaks down vehicle fatalities per capita to find the safest cities for drivers in the United States.

For each city, the website also included the percentage of vehicle related fatalities caused by driving under the influence, distracted driving and speeding.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 6.1 million police-reported crashes in 2014.

According to the data, 32,675 people were killed and 2.3 million injured in motor vehicle crashes. Thirty-one percent of fatalities were alcohol-related, 28 percent were caused by speeding and 10 percent of fatalities were caused by distracted driving.

Helena was ranked No. 5 on the list for least number of traffic fatalities averaging 5.65 deaths per 100,000 population.

Pelham was ranked No. 3 on the list with 4.44 total deaths per 100,000 population.

When comparing those numbers nationwide, the average number of total deaths per 100,000 is 21.13, according to the website.

Other cities in Alabama that made the top ten for least number of deaths included Bay Minette, Selma, Albertville, Irondale, Millbrook, Decatur, Northport and Prattville.

To view the entire list of rankings, visit Consumeraffairs.com/insurance/car.html#safest-drivers-overall-al-helena.