Annual car accidents in Tennessee topped 175,000 in 2024. Drivers of all ages are involved in fatal crashes, yet there’s only so much you can do to avoid an accident.
You can do everything right and another driver’s negligence can still cause crashes, injuries and death.
Drivers across the state try to avoid the most dangerous roads in Tennessee to lower their risk of accidents, but fatalities are reported in nearly every county. You might be safer driving in VanBuren or Unicoi, but it’s hard to avoid I-40, I-24 and other roads deemed the “most dangerous.”
Why are Tennessee roads so bad?
Contributing factors include:
- Speeding
- Alcohol-impairment
- Distracted driving
Counties with the highest number of fatalities include Shelby, Davidson and Knox. The Department of Safety and Homeland Security breaks down the number of traffic-related deaths into eight districts.
Tennessee Traffic Fatalities by District
Fatalities in 2023 in the following districts include:
District 1 – Knoxville
Over 200 fatalities were reported in the Knoxville district, with Knox accounting for 86 deaths. Sevier was listed as the second highest with 23 deaths. The remainder of the fatalties include:
- Blount – 17
- Campbell – 14
- Anderson – 13
- Monroe – 12
- Roane – 11
- Loudon – 8
- Morgan – 7
- Scott – 5
- Union – 4
District 2 – Chattanooga
In district 2, Hamilton was the deadliest county with 51 fatalities, followed by McMinn with 18. The remainder of the list includes:
- Coffee – 14
- Bradley – 11
- Franklin – 8
- Marion – 8
- Bledsoe – 7
- Meigs – 6
- Sequatchie – 5
- Rhea – 4
- Polk – 2
- Grundy – 1
District 3 – Nashville
District 3’s Davidson is by far the most notorious county for deadly motor vehicle accidents, with 138, followed by:
- Rutherford – 37
- Montgomery – 36
- Wilson – 25
- Sumner – 22
- Robertson – 20
- Williamson – 16
- Cheatham – 11
- Dickson – 12
- Stewart – 4
- Humphreys – 2
- Houston – 0
District 4 – Memphis
Shelby’s roads accounted for more deaths than some entire districts, with 259 people involved in fatal accidents in District 4, followed by 11 in Haywood and:
- Fayette – 9
- Tipton – 8
- Hardeman – 8
- Crockett – 8
- Lauderdale – 6
District 5 – Fall Branch
Green, in the Fall Branch district, reports 17 fatalities, followed by Cocke and Washington, with 15 and 14 deaths. The rest of the list is as follows:
- Sullivan – 13
- Carter – 11
- Claiborne – 8
- Johnson – 4
- Hawkins – 5
- Hamblen – 5
- Jefferson – 4
- Hancock – 3
- Unicoi – 2
District 6 – Cookeville
Cumberland and Putnam are tied as the deadliest counties in District 6, each reporting 16 fatalities. The remainder includes:
- Macon – 9
- Cannon – 7
- Overton – 6
- Warren – 6
- Jackson – 5
- Van Buren – 5
- Fentress – 4
- Smith – 4
- White – 3
- Dekalb – 2
- Trousdale – 2
- Clay – 1
- Pickett – 0
District 7 – Lawrenceburg
District 7’s Maury County reports 17 fatalities in 2023, followed by Bedford with 16. The rest include:
- Hickman – 12
- Lawrence – 8
- Giles – 7
- Marshall – 6
- Moore – 6
- Lincoln – 5
- Wayne – 4
- Lewis – 2
- Perry – 1
District 8 – Jackson
Madison’s 23 fatalities top the list in District 8, followed by:
- Henderson – 10
- McNairy – 8
- Henry – 8
- Hardin – 8
- Gibson – 6
- Weakley – 5
- Lake – 5
- Benton – 4
- Dyer – 3
- Chester – 3
- Decatur – 3
- Carroll – 3
- Obion – 2
Interstates pass through many of these districts, but which are the most deadly?
What are The Most Dangerous Roads in Tennessee?
Tennessee has 95,523 miles of public roads. While accidents can occur on any stretch of these roadways, the following roads are the most notorious for crashes and fatalities.
Interstate 40 (I-40)
I-40 tops the list of the most dangerous roads in Tennessee. This stretch of interstate is the deadliest highway in the state.
Frequent construction zones, heavy truck traffic, speeding and aggressive driving are all major contributors to higher accident rates on this roadway.
The area between Nashville and Memphis is especially dangerous due to its complex interchanges and congestion.
Interstate 24 (I-24)
I-24 runs from Chattanooga to Clarksville and traverses challenging terrain along the way. The Monteagle area is especially dangerous due to its steep grades and sharp curves. Adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rain, snow and high winds, also contribute to higher accident rates.
Interstate 65 (I-65)
I-65 runs through the center of TN, from Ardmore at the Alabama border and Portland at the Kentucky border. This long stretch of roadway is known for aggressive driving and pileups.
Congestion, speeding and distracted driving are some of the most common causes of accidents on I-65.
Winchester Road
More than 100 accidents were reported at the intersection of Memphis’s Winchester Road and Riverdale Road in 2023. A total of four interactions along Winchester Road are deemed dangerous.
The combination of high traffic volumes and complicated intersections make this stretch of roadway especially dangerous.
US Route 431
With its sudden lane reductions and hazardous twists and turns, US Route 431 is one of the most dangerous roadways in TN and has a long history of devastating accidents.
Why Are Tennessee Roads So Bad?
Many of the roads in Tennessee are dangerous or deadly due to a number of factors:
- Challenging terrain. The state’s mountainous terrain may be scenic, but it can also be dangerous. Sharp curves and steep grades can easily lead to serious accidents, especially for inexperienced or distracted drivers. Snow and heavy rain can make these roadways slick and reduce visibility, making them even more dangerous.
- Aging roads. According to TRIP, 15% of the state’s major roads are in poor or mediocre condition and 37% of bridges are 50+ years old.
- High congestion rates. Population growth and freight transport have increased traffic and congestion on Tennessee’s roadways.
Driver behavior is another major contributor to accidents and fatalities. Distracted and impaired driving account for a large percentage of fatal crashes in the state.
What to Do if You’re Injured in a Car Accident in Tennessee
If you or a loved one are injured in a car accident in Tennessee, the first and most important step is to get medical attention.
The next step is to call an experienced personal injury lawyer.
At Keller Swan, we know that being injured in a car accident can upend your life. You may be facing mounting medical bills and a long recovery period. We’ve helped countless injury victims in Tennessee seek the damages they deserve from negligent parties.
Contact our office today to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced member of our team.