MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (Mike Osborne) -- Traffic deaths across Tennessee rose 23 percent in the first half of 2021. Fatalities rose even faster in Metro Nashville.
A total of 604 Tennesseans have died as of June 23 on state roads and highways. Compare that to the same date last year when fewer than 500 fatalities had been reported.
The state’s urban drivers are responsible for most of the increase. City traffic fatalities are up 31 percent year over year.
Pedestrians account for one death out of every ten statewide.
The death toll is even higher in Davidson County. Traffic fatalities are up 41 percent year over year across Metro. As of Wednesday morning, 62 residents have died on city roads, including 15 pedestrians.
