Personal Injury Law

Tennessee Motor Vehicle Deaths Decrease But Still Higher Than National Average

By John A. Day

Deaths on Tennessee roads continued to decrease in 2008.  A total of 1035 people were killed on Tennessee roads in 2008, down from 1211 in 2007and 1339 in 2004.  Nationally, 37,261 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2008.

Tennessee deaths were 16.55 per 100,000 of population, over 33% higher than the national average of 12.25 deaths per 100,000 citizens.

Of the 1035 Tennessee deaths,  605 involved single vehicle crashes.  A total of 95 of the deaths involved at least one large truck.

More details available at this site maintained by NHTSA.

Why are deaths declining?  I think the reasons are linked to safer roads, safer cars, and  increased DUI enforcement.

Note: this is my 1500th post on this blog.  Thanks to Kevin and all the folks at LexBlog for their support.

Full post as published by Day on Torts on July 27, 2009 (boomark / email).