Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Knoxville, TN recorded 236 traffic deaths in 221 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 23.5 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 96/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 96% of ranked US cities (#5 of 48 in Tennessee, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Knoxville, Tennessee?
Knoxville has a Road Danger Score of 96/100 (High Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 221 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 236 people — 23.5 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, above the national average of 12.3.
Knoxville ranks #5 out of 48 ranked cities in Tennessee and #78 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 96% of ranked US cities.
Traffic deaths in Knoxville rose 42% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Knoxville’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 221 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Knoxville | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 47 | 21.3% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 41 | 18.6% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 47 | 21.3% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 123 | 55.7% | 49.8% |
Knoxville Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Knoxville, 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 | 54 |
| 2023 | 61 |
| 2022 | 40 |
| 2021 | 51 |
| 2020 | 30 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Knoxville, Tennessee?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Knoxville recorded 221 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 236 traffic deaths — an average of 47.2 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Knoxville?
Knoxville has a Road Danger Score of 96/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 96% of ranked US cities. The city averages 23.5 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Knoxville?
Of Knoxville's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 21% involved a drinking driver, 19% involved speeding, 21% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 56% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Knoxville each year?
An average of 47.2 people per year died in car accidents in Knoxville across 2020–2024 (236 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Knoxville more dangerous than in other Tennessee cities?
Knoxville ranks #5 of 48 ranked Tennessee cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #78 of 2,153 nationally.