RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WGNS) — A new national study places Tennessee among the top five states where commuting poses the highest risk for fatal car crashes—raising concerns in Rutherford County, one of the fastest-growing regions in the state.
The report, released by Oklahoma-based law firm Hasbrook & Hasbrook, ranks Tennessee fourth nationwide in fatal crash rates per 10,000 commuters, with an average of 4.4 deadly crashes tied to daily travel. Though the average commute time for Tennessee residents is about 25 minutes, the study shows that duration alone isn’t the only factor increasing danger—vehicle dependency and infrastructure quality also play key roles.
In Rutherford County, where public transportation options remain limited and population growth continues to swell, the findings hit close to home…