Terrible news out of Nashville tonight.
Nine people were injured this evening after a vehicle rear ended a pedal tavern in The Gulch neighborhood of downtown Music City.
According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, the crash happened near 11th Avenue S. and Demonbreun Street around 8:30 PM when a Toyota RAV4 rear ended the pedal tavern, which was carrying 12 passengers. Police say that of the nine injuries, at least two were serious. Four people were taken to the hospital, but the drivers of the pedal tavern and the vehicle weren’t injured in the accident.
No further information has been released about the driver of the RAV4, but police say that he admitted to being distracted when the crash happened.
Pedal taverns are obviously a popular attraction for bachelorette parties and other visitors to Nashville, allowing them to bring their own alcohol while riding around the city at relatively low speeds compared to the traffic around them. But there have long been safety concerns with the vehicles operating on the street, and a few years ago the city took steps to limit the number of permits and impose additional restrictions on pedal taverns and party buses after complaints from downtown businesses and residents.
There are currently 5 pedal tavern companies operating 26 of the open-air vehicles in Nashville, despite a push back in 2024 to limit that number even further. The vehicles are required to follow strict route limitations, as well as regulations on noise, passenger conduct and alcohol, with the pedal taverns operating as BYOB and allowing riders to bring only beer and seltzers with an ABV less than 8%.
Still, accidents like tonight unfortunately highlight the danger that these vehicles can pose – and not just because of the pedal taverns themselves, but because of the drivers around them.
It’s obviously too early to tell whether the crash will lead to further regulations on the vehicles, despite the fact that it doesn’t appear to have been the fault of the pedal tavern. But there’s no doubt the city will be looking at all their options to keep people safe in the busy party district.
Earlier this summer, the Tennessee Department of Transportation confirmed that they were considering making the 5-block stretch of Broadway in downtown Nashville a pedestrian-only area and closing it to vehicular traffic after a vehicle ran a red light and struck multiple pedestrians, killing one and hospitalizing several others:
“The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has been in active discussions with Metro Nashville and the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security (TDOSHS) to evaluate the potential installation of bollards on Broadway in downtown Nashville, also known as State Route 1.
TDOT recognizes the critical importance of creating a safe and efficient environment for pedestrians, motorists, and businesses in downtown Nashville. TDOT is committed to advancing a collaborative process that supports the safest and most effective operations on this vital corridor.”
It’s obviously a problem that the city is still working to tackle given the city’s explosive growth over the past few years, but hopefully they’re able to prevent further accidents in the future.
Prayers up to everybody involved in the accident and please, if you’re driving around downtown Nashville, please keep your eyes on the road and keep everybody safe.
