Memphis traffic fatalities down 30% this year
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A multi-agency task force has announced that their efforts to reduce traffic fatalities in Shelby County are paying off.
Local and state law enforcement partners that make up the Shelby County Traffic Task Force came together on Tuesday to stress the need for this collaborative effort.
“We started this process because we all recognized there was a fatality issue in Shelby County,” Buddy Lewis, the Director of the Tennessee Highway Safety Office said.
Since starting the task force in early 2024, county-wide efforts aimed at reducing fatal traffic accidents have started to pay off.
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“Fatalities are down 30% in Memphis this year,” Don Crowe, the Assistant Chief of Memphis Police said. “That is good news, but when you look at the number, there have been 70 fatalities in Memphis this year. That’s too many.”
The number of fatalities is down in Memphis compared to this time in 2023, but even with saturation patrols, sobriety checks, and an increased presence by the THP, traffic fatalities remain a problem.
“Just this past weekend there were four fatalities here in Memphis,” Crowe said. “We had a pedestrian struck and killed on Boston Street, we had a pedestrian struck and killed on South Parkway.”
Among the four victims were a 19-year-old and a 13-year-old who were killed in a crash on South Mendenhall this past Sunday.
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The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reported five traffic fatalities so far this year, compared to six this time last year. They say that in total, there were 10 fatalities in 2023.
Concerns from different agencies demanding action against reckless drivers are beginning to be heard. One of the people listening is Anthony Buckner, the Chief Deputy of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.
“Our citizens are tired of the reckless driving on the roadways and they’re tired of crime,” Buckner said. “So, we hear those calls and we’re responding to those calls.”
As efforts continue, one motorist agrees not all drivers are doing their share to make the roads safe.
“I think everyone’s on their cellphone texting people while they’re driving,” Donna Pfohl said. “No one pays attention and no one uses their blinker and everyone rides each other’s butts.”
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