Deaths on Tennessee roads increased in 2012 over a year earlier. Here is some of the key statistics as gathered by the Tennessee Department of Safety:
- Total fatalities – 1022, up 85 from 2011
- Teen driver involved in death – 115
- Senior driver involved in death – 190
- Rural deaths – 542
- Urban deaths – 480
- Pedestrians – 67
- Large Truck Involved – 102
- Bus Involved – 8
- Motorcyclists – 139
- ATV rider – 10
Is this number of deaths an anomaly? Unfortunately, it appears that they are not. The death rate for January 2013 is 6 people higher than it was in January 2012.
Don’t become a statistic. Wear a seat belt. Don’t drink and drive. Don’t text and drive. Drive defensively. Stay within the speed limit, reducing your speed in when required by traffic or weather.