According to Metro Police data, traffic stops in Nashville decreased by a staggering 91% from 2015 to 2023. This sharp decline raises questions about the city's approach to traffic enforcement and its potential impact on road safety. Despite small improvements in recent years, traffic deaths from car accidents increased by 15% from 2019 to 2022.
Why are we seeing a rise in traffic deaths?
Veronica Foster from the Civic Design Center points to two key factors contributing to this paradox. First, the perception of fewer traffic stops may embolden drivers to take more risks on the road.
"There is this perception that you're probably less likely to be pulled over if you're doing what everybody else is doing. And so there is that perception that you'll probably get away with driving higher speeds on pikes, especially," Foster explains.
Second, the design of Nashville's major roads and pikes may inadvertently encourage speeding.
According to Foster, with minimal interruptions, people can gain speeds quickly.
"Everyone around them might be driving up to 55-60 miles an hour on our pikes because there are fewer lights, fewer stop signs, and they almost have pressure to drive quickly because people around them are driving so fast," she stated.
This trend of speeding on Nashville-area roads ties in with the COVID-19 pandemic. With fewer cars on the road during the COVID-19 lockdowns, some drivers took advantage of open roads to speed excessively. That didn't stop since things have gone back to normal.
What's the link between speed and traffic fatalities in Nashville?
The relationship between speed and traffic fatalities is well-documented. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), roughly 12,151 people died in car accidents nationwide due to speeding.
This is due to two primary factors:
- Drivers who speed excessively have less time and distance to stop or avoid collisions.
- The faster a driver travels, the greater the damage in a crash.
What are other leading factors in Nashville traffic fatalities?
Other common causes of traffic fatalities in Nashville include, but are not limited to:
- Drunk driving: Alcohol-impaired driving remains a persistent and deadly problem. According to the NHTSA, 13,524 deaths occurred on U.S. roads due to drunk and impaired driving.
- Distracted driving: Mobile devices and other distractions contribute significantly to fatal accidents. The NHTSA reports that 3,308 people died in car accidents linked to distracted driving during 2022.
- Drowsy driving: Fatigue-related crashes, though often underreported, pose a serious risk. Drowsy driving caused 693 road deaths nationwide in 2022, according to the NHTSA.
What solutions are on the table to address Nashville's rise in traffic deaths?
Mayor Freddie O'Connell's transportation referendum has addressed many of these issues. The plan includes proposals for wider sidewalks, street buffers, and the implementation of bus rapid transit. Foster believes these changes could help slow traffic and make alternative transportation more appealing.
Additionally, the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) attributes the reduction in traffic stops to their "precision policing" initiative. While the department hasn't provided extensive details, this approach likely involves more targeted enforcement efforts rather than widespread traffic stops.
Let our Nashville law firm help you on the path to recovery
The rise in traffic fatalities in Nashville highlights the ongoing challenge of addressing negligence among drivers. Our law firm is dedicated to holding negligent drivers accountable and fighting for the maximum compensation our clients deserve.
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