Home » KSP increases patrols during Thanksgiving holiday

KSP increases patrols during Thanksgiving holiday

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 21, 2012) — Thanksgiving is the most dangerous holiday of the year for motorists, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This includes the four-day holiday driving period surrounding that date when heavy traffic, weather and long-distance road trips combine to create severe travel conditions.

Often, family celebrations include alcohol, which later evolves into impaired driving. Add that to heavy holiday traffic, and you have a recipe for disaster.

Last year, traffic crashes across Kentucky claimed the lives of 6 people during the Thanksgiving travel period including 1,289 traffic crashes with 393 injuries during that time frame.

“The Thanksgiving holiday weekend is traditionally one of the most traveled weekends of the year,” said KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer. “To ensure we all make it to our destinations safely, troopers will be on Kentucky roadways looking for unsafe driving practices including safety belt and impaired driving violations.”

“It’s the simple, common sense things that can make a crucial difference such as wearing a seat belt, reducing your speed and avoiding driving after consuming alcohol or drugs,” he added.

KSP will participate in the official 2012 Thanksgiving holiday enforcement period, which begins at 6 tonight and extends through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 25.

KSP has a new seat belt brochure with safety tips and information for drivers on its website.