Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Cookeville, TN recorded 24 traffic deaths in 21 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 12.9 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 79/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 79% of ranked US cities (#26 of 48 in Tennessee, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Cookeville, Tennessee?
Cookeville has a Road Danger Score of 79/100 (Above-Average Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 21 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 24 people — 12.9 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, above the national average of 12.3.
Cookeville ranks #26 out of 48 ranked cities in Tennessee and #447 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 79% of ranked US cities.
Traffic deaths in Cookeville fell 33% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Cookeville’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 21 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Cookeville | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 4 | 19.0% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 6 | 28.6% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 2 | 9.5% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 10 | 47.6% | 49.8% |
Cookeville Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Cookeville, Tennessee from NHTSA FARS. Single-year swings are normal in smaller cities; the Road Danger Score uses the full 5-year window.
| Year | Traffic Deaths |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2020 | 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Cookeville, Tennessee?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Cookeville recorded 21 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 24 traffic deaths — an average of 4.8 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Cookeville?
Cookeville has a Road Danger Score of 79/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 79% of ranked US cities. The city averages 12.9 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Cookeville?
Of Cookeville's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 19% involved a drinking driver, 29% involved speeding, 10% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 48% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Cookeville each year?
An average of 4.8 people per year died in car accidents in Cookeville across 2020–2024 (24 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Cookeville more dangerous than in other Tennessee cities?
Cookeville ranks #26 of 48 ranked Tennessee cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #447 of 2,153 nationally.