Following the state of Tennessee’s reduction in deaths on the highways by 14%, Cumberland County recorded four less traffic deaths than recorded in 2024.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol’s 6th District Post — which includes Cumberland — saw a reduction in deaths attributed to highway crashes of 20. In 2024, the 6th District reported 77 highway deaths and last year that number fell to 57.
The 6th District THP posts consists of the following counties: Cannon, Cumberland, Dekalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Smith, Trousdale, Van Buren, Warren and White.
Districtwide, Cumberland tied Putnam with 11 highway deaths in 2025. This reflects an increase of one road death in Putnam County and reduction of four in Cumberland.
Cannon, Jackson and Van Buren counties each recorded one highway death for the year.
The Tennessee Department of Homeland Security reported a decline in traffic fatalities of 147 fewer in 2025. The Tennessee Fatality Analysis Reporting System shows 1,045 traffic fatties in 2025, down from 1,194 in 2024.
“Fewer fatalities mean fewer families experiencing unimanginable loss, and that matters,” Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long said in a press release.
“Our department works every day to do everything in its power to prevent crashes and reduce traffic fatalities across Tennessee, and will not let up on that mission.”
Urban areas accounted for the largest share of the statewide improvement with 128 fewer fatalities compared to the previous year. Rural fatalities also declined, though at a smaller rate, reinforcing the need for continued focus on rural road safety.
Statewide data also showed reductions in crashes involving teen drivers and older drivers, as well as decrease in pedestrian fatalities.
“Tennessee’s progress in reducing traffic fatalities reflects the impact of education, enforcement and strong partnerships,” said Buddy Lewis, director of the Tennessee Highway Safety Office, “Our focus remains on proven strategies like seat belt use, impaired driving prevention and pedestrian safety. These numbers show progress, but they also remind us, every driver has a role in keeping our roads safe.”