Every year, data is collected on the number of traffic deaths in the state of Tennessee to see how it is doing when it comes to keeping citizens safe on the roads. On the 16th of January, the preliminary data for 2012 traffic deaths was announced. The data came from the Department of Transportation, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security and the Governor’s Highway Safety Office.
Our Johnson City, TN accident attorneys have taken a close look at the 2012 data to see where the state stands on the number of people killed in auto accidents. The data contained both good news and bad and shows that there is plenty of room for improvement. Lawmakers can make efforts to cut the number of accidents by increasing enforcement and education while drivers should make a renewed commitment to making safe driving choices.
How Did Tennessee Do In 2012?
According to the information released on 2012 auto accidents and fatalities:
- Tennessee had the third lowest traffic fatality rate since 1963 with only 1,109 deaths caused by auto accidents during 2012.
- Despite the almost record low number of deaths, this still represented an 8.8 increase in fatalities since 2011 when only 937 people were killed. In 2011, the state had the lowest number of people killed in car wrecks for the past 48 years so some increase in deaths was expected this year.
- Since 2004, there has been a 7.8 percent decrease in traffic accidents statewide.
- Tennessee lost 138 motorcycle riders in fatal accidents in 2012. This was a surprising 21.1 percent increase in the number of motorcycle riders killed when compared with the 114 deaths in 2011. Unfortunately, this number has been on the rise for a long time. In the past 14 years, the number of motorcycle riders killed has more than tripled.
- The number of people killed in fatal car accidents with large trucks declined 39.5 percent since 2004.
- The number of people killed while riding ATVs has gone down 50 percent from the number who died in 2008.
- From 2007 to 2011, the number of deaths related to driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs has been reduced by 31.8 percent.
As these statistics show, Tennessee has been doing fairly well in reducing the overall number of people who suffer death as a result of a traffic accident. The state has also made some significant improvements as far as curbing drinking and driving behavior and helping trucks and cars to share the roads.
However, there is still a lot of work to do, particularly in keeping motorcycle riders safe. The ongoing increase in the number of motorcycle accidents that lead to death is a serious concern and both public education and tougher enforcement of safety laws will be necessary to help reduce these startling statistics.
Drivers in the state of Tennessee can also make a commitment to making safe driving decisions, obeying the law, staying within the speed limit and avoiding risky behaviors like drinking and driving or driving while distracted in order to continue to reduce the fatality rate and make the streets of Tennessee safer for drivers, pedestrians, motorcycle riders and cyclists.
If you are in an driving accident in Johnson City, Tennessee, contact Meade Injury Law Group today at (423) 464-7779for a free consultation.
