The Kentucky Office of Highway Safety recently released final statistics for 2009 showing 791 traffic fatalities last year, 35 fewer than in 2008 and the lowest total since 1999, when the death toll was 729. Fatalities declined for the fourth consecutive year.
“The good news is that 35 fewer lives were lost,” Gov. Steve Beshear said. “The bad news is that people are still needlessly dying on Kentucky highways. We will not rest until the number is zero, because one fatality is one too many.”
Gov. Beshear’s Executive Committee on Highway Safety is working to update and implement the state’s strategic highway safety plan.
Of the 791 fatalities last year, 649 were in motor vehicles. Of those, 61 percent were not buckled up and 20 percent involved alcohol. Motorcyclists accounted for 80 fatalities. More than 60 percent of those were not wearing helmets; 19 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes involved alcohol.
KOHS safety initiatives include an annual “Click It or Ticket” seat-belt campaign and “Over the Limit. Under Arrest” impaired driving campaign.
Add Comment