Tennessee sees fewer deadly crashes, Georgia sees more holiday traffic deaths

From Local 3 News: Traffic fatalities are trending downwards in the State of Tennessee, 14% for 2025. According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, there was 1,194 in 2024, and there were 1,045 in 2025. Overall, there were 147 fewer roadway deaths in the Volunteer State.

"We are looking at statistics; the contributing factors from the drivers, was it speed? Was it alcohol? What type of day was it? What time of day was it?" said Lieutenant Bill Miller with the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Troopers like Lieutenant Bill Miller are deploying new tactics every day to reduce the number of deadly crashes on the roadways.

In and near Chattanooga, the number of deadly crashes is up. 128 people were killed this year, in comparison to last year.

"We can take that data and reassign our troopers to be present and to be working during the time of peak traffic crashes," said Lt. Miller.

Meanwhile, in Georgia, numbers for this year's Christmas holiday travel period show an upward trend in deadly crashes. In 2024, there were 3. In 2025, there were 15 people killed.

Troopers in both states told Local 3 News that distracted driving plays a large role in deadly crashes.  

"We are seeing a big increase in that, and with that being said, for comparison sake, last year alone, we had just under 10,000 traffic stops conducted by Georgia State Patrol Troopers... This year, we conducted over 17,000 traffic stops during our travel period," said Trooper Ryan Townsend with Georgia State Patrol.

With a whole new year of driving trends ahead, troopers say everyone can play a role in making highways safer.

"Distracted driving in general doesn't only apply to cell phones; that's what a lot of people think. However, removing your eyes from the roadway, looking at your radio, messing with your GPS, dealing with the screaming child in the backseat, that all counts as distracted driving.