(FRANKFORT) The rate of fatalities on Kentucky's
roadways has increased in 2012, according to preliminary numbers from
the Kentucky State Police. There were 64 fatalities as of Feb. 9, five
more than at the same time last year.
Of the 64 people killed so far this year, 31 were not wearing seat belts
and nine died in crashes involving alcohol.
"With the decent winter weather, more people have been traveling our
roadways, which might explain the fatality increase," said Kentucky
Office of Highway Safety (KOHS) Director Bill Bell. "However, it does
not explain why people are not making safe decisions when they get
behind the wheel."
Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) indicate that seat belts, when worn correctly, reduce the risk
of fatalities by 45 percent for front-seat vehicle occupants, and by 60
percent for pickup truck, SUV and minivan occupants. Also according to
NHTSA, regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect
against and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes.
"KSP wants to remind motorists not to become complacent when it comes to
highway safety. We plan to be vigilant in enforcing seat belt laws and
will continue targeting impaired drivers who endanger the lives of
others," said Jude.
The KOHS offers various highway safety educational programs to the
public and distributes federal highway safety grants to state and local
highway safety agencies. It annually partners with state and local law
enforcement to promote the national "Click It or Ticket" seat belt
campaign and "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" impaired driving campaign.
"Our office will continue working with highway safety agencies across
the state to educate everyone on the benefits of safe driving habits,"
said Bell.
A final total will not be available until April 2, but preliminary
numbers for 2011 indicate there were 720 fatalities on Kentucky
roadways. Of those, 49 percent were not buckled up and 16 percent
involved alcohol.
