Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Nashville Metro, TN recorded 544 traffic deaths in 508 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 15.6 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 87/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 87% of ranked US cities (#18 of 48 in Tennessee, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Nashville Metro, Tennessee?
Nashville Metro has a Road Danger Score of 87/100 (High Road Danger). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 508 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 544 people — 15.6 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, above the national average of 12.3.
Nashville Metro ranks #18 out of 48 ranked cities in Tennessee and #273 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 87% of ranked US cities.
The most distinctive factor in Nashville Metro's fatal crashes: dark / nighttime conditions — 65% of fatal crashes, versus 50% nationally.
Traffic deaths in Nashville Metro fell 5% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Nashville Metro’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 508 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Nashville Metro | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 129 | 25.4% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 127 | 25.0% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 184 | 36.2% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 329 | 64.8% | 49.8% |
Nashville Metro Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Nashville Metro, 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 | 100 |
| 2023 | 110 |
| 2022 | 112 |
| 2021 | 118 |
| 2020 | 104 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Nashville Metro, Tennessee?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Nashville Metro recorded 508 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 544 traffic deaths — an average of 108.8 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Nashville Metro?
Nashville Metro has a Road Danger Score of 87/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 87% of ranked US cities. The city averages 15.6 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Nashville Metro?
Of Nashville Metro's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 25% involved a drinking driver, 25% involved speeding, 36% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 65% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Nashville Metro each year?
An average of 108.8 people per year died in car accidents in Nashville Metro across 2020–2024 (544 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Nashville Metro more dangerous than in other Tennessee cities?
Nashville Metro ranks #18 of 48 ranked Tennessee cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #273 of 2,153 nationally.