ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (December 17, 2022) – The Kentucky State Police (KSP) is announcing that the commonwealth is on track to have fewer fatalities than in 2021 and will participate in the ‘Make it Home for the Holidays’ traffic safety enforcement campaign. As of Monday, December 13, Kentucky has experienced 691 traffic collision fatalities, 82 less than in 2021.
KSP troopers and officers will emphasize all traffic enforcement violations, including speeding, failure to wear a seatbelt, impaired and distracted driving, and commercial vehicle enforcement. In conjunction with the agency’s ‘Make it Home for the Holidays’ enforcement campaign, KSP will participate in two National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) enforcement campaigns during December, including ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ and ‘Operation C.A.R.E.’ (Crash Awareness Reduction Effort)
In addition to troopers and officers ensuring safety on the roads, KSP will promote efforts on its Facebook and Twitter platforms. KSP will bring awareness to the following topics:
- Promote occupant protection (seatbelts and child restraints)
- Prevent impaired driving
- Prevent distracted driving
- Encourage motorists to observe posted speed limits
- Promote travel safety tips (weather, vehicle preparedness, safety kits)
Wearing your seatbelt is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash. On average, 47% of people who die in car crashes aren’t wearing their seatbelts. In 2022, Kentucky’s seatbelt usage is at 86.7%. KSP reminds citizens to ensure children are properly restrained in a child safety seat appropriate for their age and size and know that bulky winter clothing can reduce the effectiveness of proper child restraints.
Impaired driving is 100% preventable, yet in the U.S., one person dies every 45 minutes due to an impaired driver. The best protection against an impaired driver is your seatbelt. Be smart and plan ahead this holiday season as you spend time with family and friends at holiday parties; designate a sober driver, and don’t allow anyone impaired to drive home. Distracted driving, such as texting, eating, focusing on passengers, and adjusting the radio, diverts the driver’s attention from safely operating the vehicle. If you are driving 55 M.P.H. and take your eyes off the road for five seconds, it’s the same as driving more than the length of a football field. If you must text or perform any other distracting task, designate a passenger to help you, or find a safe place to pull over.
For two decades, speeding has been involved in approximately one-third (33%) of all fatal crashes in the U.S. It increases the risk of losing control of a vehicle, reduces the effectiveness of a seatbelt, and increases the severity of injuries in crashes. KSP reminds motorists to observe posted speed limits (including in construction zones where the speed limit is reduced). While dealing with other motorists who are speeding or driving aggressively, try to give yourself extra space. Don’t follow other vehicles too closely; remember to move over to the right lane if another vehicle wishes to pass.
As winter weather kicks into gear, KSP wants to remind everyone to ensure they are prepared for the potential hazards. Winter weather negatively impacts roadway conditions which can greatly increase the risk of a crash. KSP provides these tips to motorists:
- Reduce your speed and increase your following distance
- Clear your vehicle of snow and ice, including the windshield, lights, and top of the vehicle.
- Headlights and taillights should be used at night and in poor weather conditions, including rain, snow, fog, etc.
- Keep a safety kit in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Your safety kit should include extra coats, gloves, blankets, jumper cables, and a flashlight.
- Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained with good tires and sufficient fluids. It’s good practice to keep the fuel tank above one-quarter (1/4) full during cold winter months.
KSP’s holiday wish is for everyone to make it home safely during this special time of year. For more information about KSP and its mission, visit the website.
# # #