The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and Department of Highway Safety recently shared good news about roadway safety in the Commonwealth. So far, the number of fatal automobile crashes this year has decreased by about 15% compared to this time in 2023. As of September, the number of fatal crashes is at its lowest since before 2020.
Governor Andy Beshear lauded the strides Kentucky has made in ensuring safe roadway travel. He said it’s critical to put these numbers into perspective.
“While I wish we didn’t lose anyone on our roads, these numbers are encouraging, and they say there is more that we can do,” said Beshear. “And we have to remember, they’re not just numbers. We’re talking about fewer people thus far this year than last year mourning a lost loved one. Fewer people this year than last year recovering from a difficult injury.”
Officials said Kentucky is starting to see their public campaigning efforts rewarded, as statistics show seatbelt usage has also risen by about three percent since 2022.
One new initiative that many officials said is making an impact is the High-Five Rural Seatbelt program, created by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Governor Beshear said the only thing a driver can control is their own actions, making seat belts even more critical.
“It’s a program that combines education, enforcement, and engineering efforts to improve and promote seatbelt use in rural counties, where our seatbelt use, usage is just lower statistically. We don’t want any families to experience losing someone to a roadway crash, most of which are preventable,” said Beshear.
The governor said all drivers can take small steps to help ensure their safety and that of fellow drivers, like wearing a seatbelt and not driving with distractions like phones or while intoxicated.