MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Got plans to visit the Bluff City? Otherwise known as the Home of the Blues - If you do, then drive carefully, because Memphis has been identified as the most dangerous large city in the United States for nighttime driving, according to a new analysis of federal crash data. The study found that the city averages more than 120 fatal crashes each year between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., giving it the highest per-capita rate among the nation’s 50 largest cities.
The report, conducted by Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, analyzed fatal crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Crashworthiness Data Analysis Network (CDAN) covering the years 2019 through 2023. Researchers identified 611 fatal nighttime crashes in Memphis during that five-year period, which equates to an average of 122.2 deadly crashes annually.
When adjusted for population, Memphis recorded a nighttime fatal crash rate of 20.11 per 100,000 residents, the highest among major U.S. cities. The rate is 2.82 times higher than the average among the 50 largest cities, which stands at 7.13 per 100,000 residents.
Even compared with other high-ranking cities, Memphis stands out. Detroit, which ranked second in the study, had a nighttime fatal crash rate of 15.15 per 100,000 residents, significantly lower than Memphis. At the opposite end of the list, New York City recorded the safest rate at 1.73 per 100,000 residents, making Memphis’ rate more than 11 times higher.
The disparity is also evident within Tennessee. Memphis’ rate of 20.11 per 100,000 residents is more than double Nashville’s rate of 9.50, despite Nashville having a larger population.
Among Southern cities included in the analysis, Memphis again ranked the highest. The study found the average nighttime fatal crash rate among Southern cities was 8.17 per 100,000 residents, meaning Memphis’ rate is roughly 2.46 times higher than the regional average.
Researchers also noted that Memphis ranks sixth nationally in total nighttime fatal crashes, even though its population of roughly 607,581 residents is far smaller than larger metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, Houston, or New York City.
According to Chrissy Grigoropoulos, founding partner of Grigor Law, the data suggests that differences in infrastructure and transportation systems may contribute to the risk levels.
“When Memphis’s nighttime fatal crash rate is nearly 12 times that of New York City, it’s clear these outcomes are shaped by local infrastructure, lighting, and enforcement,” Grigoropoulos said in comments included with the study. “Dense, transit-served cities consistently rank safer, showing that targeted investment in road design and visibility can save lives.”
The study also found notable regional differences. Cities in the South recorded the highest average nighttime crash rate among the regions studied, followed by the Midwest and the West, while Northeastern cities reported the lowest rates overall.
Researchers say the findings highlight how road design, lighting conditions, enforcement levels, and transportation infrastructure may play a role in nighttime crash risks across major U.S. cities.
The 10 Deadliest U.S. Cities for Nighttime Fatal Crashes:
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Memphis, TN (20.11 Rate per 100K)
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Detroit, MI (15.15 Rate per 100K)
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Tucson, AZ (12.87 Rate per 100K)
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Albuquerque, NM (12.46 Rate per 100K)
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Atlanta, GA (11.85 Rate per 100K)
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Louisville, KY (11.54 Rate per 100K)
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Dallas, TX (10.41 Rate per 100K)
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Jacksonville, FL (10.19 Rate per 100K)
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Kansas City, MO (9.84 Rate per 100K)
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Phoenix, AZ (9.66 Rate per 100K)
About Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers: The study was conducted by Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, a premier New York “all injury” law firm representing clients in personal injury, car accidents, workers’ compensation, and no-fault claims.
