Shelby County traffic fatalities are way down, and MPD credits outside manpower for the decline
Traffic fatalities in Tennessee dipped by nearly 13% in 2025, and the decrease was even more profound in Memphis — due in part to the arrival of extra federal and state manpower, officials said.
Overall, 1,045 people died on Tennessee roadways in 2025, which was a decrease of 149 from the 1,194 people killed in crashes in 2024, according to data maintained by the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
But in Shelby County, the drop was even more significant, the data shows.
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traffic fatalities Memphis Police Department Tennessee Highway Patrol Memphis Safe Task Force Unlock 2025 Subscriber OnlyThank you for being a subscriber to The Daily Memphian. Your support is critical.
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Jody Callahan
Jody Callahan graduated with degrees in journalism and economics from what is now known as the University of Memphis. He has covered news in Memphis for more than 25 years.
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