Pedestrian fatalities in Nashville: where we stand

Pedestrian deaths skyrocketed in Nashville during the pandemic.

Although recent trends appear promising, the scar left behind still lingers. Advocates for pedestrian safety responded to the ongoing issue by crafting, painting and placing wooden doves around the city, marking where pedestrians were hit. They, along with Diana Alarcon, the director of the Nashville Department of Transformation, join This Is Nashville to update Nashvillians on the issues around pedestrian safety. Additionally, they will discuss improvements underway in Davidson County, and how pedestrians who survived hit-and-runs still face hurdles years later.

This episode was produced by Josh Deepan. 

Guests:

• Joan Kite, hit-and-run survivor, advocate
• Anonymous advocate
• Diana Alarcon, Nashville Department of Transportation director

Further reading: 

• Nashville set another pedestrian fatality record in 2022
• Police are searching for hit-and-run drivers after a deadly month for Nashville pedestrians
• You asked, we answered: Your guide to Nashville’s 2024 transit referendum