Tennessee Sees Decrease In Traffic Fatalities In 2025
New data released by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security showed that there was a decline in traffic fatalities in 2025 on Tennessee roads. The Tennessee Fatality Analysis Reporting System shows there were 1,045 traffic fatalities statewide in 2025, down from 1,194 in 2024. It’s a reduction of approximately 14 percent, a significant decrease. The data showed that much of the statewide improvement was driven by significant progress in Memphis and Shelby County, where coordinated enforcement and safety initiatives, including the Memphis Safe Task Force and the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s Bluff City Task Force, contributed to a substantial reduction in fatalities.
Closer to home in the Knoxville district, Fatalities decreased from 170 in 2024 to 144 in 2025, a reduction of 26 deaths. Knox County accounted for a significant share of this improvement. In the Fall Branch District, which includes Cocke, Greene and Hamblen counties, Fatalities declined from 126 in 2024 to 119 in 2025. Despite the overall decline, troopers cautioned that certain areas remain concerning. Motorcycle fatalities remained largely unchanged year to year, and those not wearing seatbelts, while improving, continue to represent a significant portion of traffic deaths in the state. The Tennessee Highway Patrol urges drivers to buckle up, slow down, avoid impaired driving and remain attentive behind the wheel.