KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. — New statistics from the Knox County Regional Forensics Center show a dangerous trend of traffic-related deaths.
In 2022, the report said 100 people died on Knox County roads. In 2023, that number rose by around 35% to 135 people, making it the largest increase among causes of death, the report states.
Here's how those 135 deaths break down:
- 66 were drivers
- 15 were passengers
- 22 were pedestrians
- 27 were driving motorcycles
- 2 were riding in motorcycles
- 3 died in an ATV
The report also shows another concerning trend continuing in Knox County — impaired driving. Around 64% of drivers who died were involved in a crash with an impaired driver. For motorcyclists, that percentage jumps to 74%.
Tom Marsh, a driving instructor in the Knoxville area, said it's a concerning trend among the people he teaches.
"I've done this for about 14 years, and probably in the last especially seems like three or four years, I've seen a lot more drug-related DUIs than previously," Marsh said.
But, he is clear that distracted driving is just as dangerous.
"If something takes your eyes away from the road, for just a couple of seconds, it doubles your chance of having a crash," Marsh said. "You're out here on the interstate going 70, that's 103 feet per second. You look away from the road for two or three seconds, you've traveled the length of a football field in three seconds."