Tennessee Fatal Truck Accident Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Tennessee reported 958 traffic fatalities for 2015. This number was a significant decrease from 2006, which reported 1284. The numbers continue to decline each year, which is good news. However, fatality rates per 100,000 population are still higher than the national average. Tennessee reports a rate of 14.51 for 2015 as compared to the national average of 10.92.
Truck fatalities have held steady over the years in most categories. The one main exception is with fatalities involving a van. In 2011, 20 deaths were reported, and this number increased to 38 in 2015, almost doubling.
The other significant change was with pickup trucks. The numbers actually decreased in this category from 155 deaths in 2011 to 143 in 2015. Utility truck-related deaths have held steady with 126 in 2011 and 129 in 2015. Large truck-related deaths show similar trends with 20 in 2011 and 21 in 2015. For all of these categories, only minor fluctuations are noted from one year to the next.
Shelby County reported the highest number of deaths involving a large truck with eight. This number is down slightly from the previous year. Tied for first place is Hamilton County, also with eight, but a much higher number than in prior years.
For light truck fatalities, Shelby County is also in first place with 20, which is similar to previous years. Davidson County is in second place with 15 for 2015 and Blount County in third with 13. Both counties saw an increase, with a higher rate for Blount County. On the other hand, Hamilton and Knox counties both showed a significant drop from other years. While Knox County was in fourth place with 10, it was a major decrease from the 19 of 2014. Hamilton dropped from 15 in 2014 to nine in 2015, showing a positive trend for both counties.