Tennessee Fatal Motorcycle Accident Statistics
For the year 2015, Tennessee reported 958 traffic deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This number reflects a rate of 14.51 per 100,000 population, which is above the national average of 10.92. Motorcycle deaths represent 13 percent of this total at 123. The number is up slightly from the 120 in 2014, but down significantly 2013 with 138 reported. In fact, 2015 was the third lowest in a ten-year reporting period.
Tennessee has a state helmet law requiring all persons to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. Because of this law, almost all of the victims in motorcycle crashes were wearing their helmets in the accidents. A 90 percent helmet usage was reported for 2015, which holds steady from previous years. An estimated 66 lives were saved because of helmet use for the year.
The age range with the most deaths was 50-59 with 35. In second place was those in the 20-29 age range with 33 deaths. The numbers drop significantly from there with 22 for those in the 40-49 group and 17 in the 30-39 group. For those over 59, 12 deaths were reported with four for those under age 20.
About half of the counties in Tennessee reported at least one motorcycle-related fatality for 2015 with two counties reporting more than five but fewer than 16. Two other counties reported at least 16. Davidson County in the western portion of the state reported 18 deaths for the year, which was up slightly from the previous year of 14. Shelby County had the highest total at 20, which was a significant increase from 12 reported in 2014. Montgomery County had eight reported for the year, which was also a slight increase from six in 2014. On the other side of the state, Knox County reported seven, which is up from six in 2014.