What Are the Most Dangerous Roads in Tennessee?

What makes Tennessee roads dangerous? Data shows that a high concentration of interstate highways in urban areas combined with unsafe driving behaviors increases the risks of crashes in the Volunteer State.

Read on to learn more about the most dangerous roads in Tennessee and the factors contributing to the state's high rate of crashes.

Tennessee Interstate Highways and Accident Rates

Tennessee's growing population and high concentration of interstate highways converge to make the state the 9th most dangerous place for drivers. These factors result in a higher crash rate for urban areas, with Shelby and Davidson Counties on the top of the list.

With 83,000 new residents moving to Tennessee in 2022, the state's population is growing quickly. Consequently, congestion on major interstates keeps increasing.

Many urban crashes happen on interstates, specifically I-40, I-24, I-65, and I-75. Interstate 40 is the deadliest road in the state, with 0.61 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, factors like speeding and unsafe lane changes contribute to the high rate of crashes observed in spots like I-40 and I-24 as they run through Nashville. Poor road design also plays a part in making highway exits dangerous. In fact, Tennessee is one of the states with the highest rate of crashes caused by poor road design.

Winter weather is another noteworthy factor. Earlier this year, freezing conditions caused several crashes on major interstates in East Tennessee. These crashes often become deadly pile ups involving multiple vehicles and increased congestion.

Careless drivers are also contributing to the dangerous driving conditions on Tennessee roads. The Tennessee Highway Patrol estimates that the state's distracted driving rate is five times higher than the national average, and impaired driving is also an ongoing challenge, with 26 traffic fatalities linked to drunk driving recorded in 2023.

Tennessee I-75 Accident Hotspots

I-75 is a busy interstate that connects Knoxville to Chattanooga. It runs for around 160 miles and becomes a major urban axis as it runs through Knoxville and combines with I-40 for 17 miles.

With 0.56 deaths per 100 million miles traveled, I-75 ranks among the deadliest roads in Tennessee. It's also one of the busiest axes, with the I-40/I-75 corridor in Knoxville seeing over 182,000 vehicles a day.

Congestion is a major contributing factor in making I-75 an accident hotspot. Unsafe driving practices like speeding and distracted driving are also to blame. Over the past few months, winter weather has also caused several crashes, including a deadly accident involving multiple vehicles and a semi in Knoxville.

A few days later, another Tennessee I-75 accident involved an overturned vehicle in Loudon County while a semi blocked the interstate near exit 321.

More recently, a deadly crash was caused by an erratic driver near the Ooltewah exit in Chattanooga. This tragedy illustrates the consequences of careless driving in a busy urban environment.

Rural Routes and Unforeseen Hazards

Rural roads are hazardous for drivers in Tennessee. With 2.64 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled compared to a statewide average of 1.30 deaths per 100 million miles, rural roads are particularly deadly.

As of March 2024, there were 67 fatalities recorded on rural roads for the year. This equates to 32% of all fatalities in the state.

Rural routes can be dangerous due to poor road conditions. Traveling on empty roads can also make drivers more likely to speed or engage in distracted driving. These two habits often result in car crashes because drivers lose control of their vehicles.

Racing and careless driving are also problematic in some areas. For instance, the Tail of the Dragon is a well-known scenic drive in Blount County with many twists and turns that attract sports car drivers and motorcyclists. This stretch of rural road has an average of 1.5 deaths per year.

Collisions with animals are also common on country roads. Tennessee counted more than 7,400 animal-related crashes for 2023, with deer accounting for most of these accidents.

Find Legal Help After Your Tennessee Car Crash With Accident.com

A combination of factors makes Tennessee roads dangerous for drivers. These include a high concentration of congested interstates and unsafe driver behaviors like speeding and distracted driving. Hazardous winter weather conditions are a further concern.

As a driver, being aware of dangerous areas and not engaging in reckless habits can make a significant difference. Whether you're commuting on a busy stretch of I-75 or driving on rural roads, you should respect the posted speed limit, avoid distractions, and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

If you were involved in an accident on Tennessee roads, you should know that legal options are available to you. Accident.com can provide guidance and put you in touch with a legal representative who will help you navigate the process of obtaining compensation. Fill out our online form today to get started.