2017 – The Deadliest Year for Pedestrians in Nashville
Nashville Pedestrian Accidents on the Rise
Statistics tell us that Nashville is an increasingly dangerous city for pedestrians. According to nashvillelook4me.com, on average, a pedestrian is killed every 21 days in Nashville. And with the city’s population growing rapidly and our streets becoming increasingly congested, the trend is moving in the wrong direction.
As of early November, 19 pedestrians had been killed on Nashville roads in 2017, setting a new single-year record for the city. More ominous is that November and December are historically the most dangerous months of the year, as it gets dark early and traffic volume rises during the holiday shopping season.
The good news is that local organizations are working to combat the problem. As I noted in a recent post about an accident in which an MTA bus hit a pedestrian in downtown Nashville, the city has established a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, which has a stated goal of making Nashville a bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly city. At the same time, Music City has developed a Moving in Harmony “Share the Road” campaign, which is designed to “increase pedestrian, cyclist and motorist safety with an end goal of eliminating deaths and reducing injuries due to pedestrian or bicycle and motor vehicle collisions.”
Most recently, Walk Bike Nashville—which, since 1998 has worked “to build a more walkable, bikeable and livable Nashville”—has launched a new campaign called Look for Me, which aims to raise awareness about pedestrian safety and influence the way Nashvillians drive.
The online and offline campaign—which features ads on MTA buses and at bus stops—highlights the fact that 73 percent of all pedestrian fatalities occur at night, as was the case with a 40-year-old pedestrian who was killed in a hit-and-run in Donelson back in August.
The campaign website also highlights the existence of a Nashville Pedestrian Death Registry, which maintains a map that illustrates where pedestrians have lost their lives around town. The site also honors the victims, sharing their stories, as well as photographs of the streets and dangerous intersections where their accidents occurred. Viewing the pictures, it’s not surprising to learn that 62% of all pedestrian fatalities occur on city streets of four or more lanes, according to crash data from 2012-16.
In fact, the deadliest street for pedestrians is Gallatin Pike, with 10 fatalities in six years, followed by Old Hickory Boulevard (nine fatalities) and Murfreesboro Road (seven fatalities).
You Can Help Make Nashville’s Streets Safer for Pedestrians
You can do your part to help reduce the number of pedestrian accidents by:
- Slowing down
- Staying off your smartphone
- Keeping an eye out for pedestrians at all times
- Reporting dangerous road conditions
- Reporting aggressive drivers
What to do if you witness a pedestrian accident:
- Take note of the license plate of the vehicle in question
- Take note of the type of vehicle, its color, and any distinguishing characteristics
- If possible, offer a visual description of the driver or passengers, as well as details about the environment in the area of the accident.
Witness statements are often invaluable in pedestrian accidents, as victims frequently die or suffer life-threatening injuries, making it a challenge for them to identify the responsible party.
Of course, if you or a family member has been injured in a pedestrian accident, don’t hesitate to call us at 615.256.6666 or contact us for a free, no obligation consultation. We will fight to get you justice!