After a request for current numbers on traffic accidents in the state, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security has released statistics about drivers in Tennessee. For 2014 there are some 4.6 million licensed drivers and 6.9 million registered vehicles. During 2013 some 60,500 drivers had their license suspended for financial responsibility violations and some 10,200 had their license revoked for financial responsibility violations.
Uninsured motorists were involved in 40,300 accidents in 2011, 41,100 in 2012 and 39,700 in 2013. Unlicensed drivers were involved in some 21,900 accidents in 2011, 24,600 in 202 and 25,600 in 2013.
In addition, the status of unlicensed drivers involved in accidents by status and the number of accidents were:
Canceled/Denied License
2011 - 99 2012 - 104 2013 - 129
Disqualified
2011 - 25 2012 - 42 2013 - 50
Expired
2011 - 1,010 2013 - 1,074 2013 - 1,065
Not Licensed
2011- 12,329 2012-13,979 2013- 14,454
Revoked
2011 - 2,609 2012 - 3,054 2013 - 3,291
Suspended
2011 - 5,876 2012 - 6,368 2013 - 6,632
Totals
2011- 21,948 2012-24,644 2013- 25,621
As you can see, these numbers continue to increase. Several bills have been filed in the past to attempt to address these issues, and we expect several more in the upcoming session. Insurors will be monitoring any such legislation closely, and we will update you as it progresses in 2015.