THP Reports Significant Drop In Holiday Weekend Traffic Fatalities

It was a safer 4th of July weekend on the roads according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Preliminary figures from the THP show a significant drop in traffic fatalities across the state during the 2025 Independence Day holiday period, which ran from 6 p.m. Thursday, July 3, through 5:59 a.m. Monday, July 7. Data shows that there were four people killed in crashes during that time period, compared to 18 during the same time frame in 2024.

Col. Matt Perry of the THP says the reduction in lives lost follows the launch of safety campaigns like “Safe on 70”, a specialized enforcement and education effort focused on U.S. Highway 70 and surrounding high-crash areas. The campaign began just ahead of the holiday weekend and included increased patrols and community outreach.

Perry says over the holiday weekend, the Tennessee Highway Patrol statewide investigated 132 total crashes; Responded to 49 injury crashes; Made 99 DUI arrests; and Assisted 752 motorists.