Gov. Beshear declares Oct. 29 ‘Buckle Up, Phone Down Day’ to promote safer driving
FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
FRANKFORT, Ky., (KBSI) – Gov. Andy Beshear has proclaimed Oct. 29 as Buckle Up, Phone Down Day in Kentucky, joining a multi-state effort to promote safer driving by encouraging motorists to wear their seat belts and avoid distractions behind the wheel.
“A crash can happen in an instant, and taking the simplest steps like putting your phone down and buckling up can save lives,” Beshear said. “Please, make the right choices to protect yourself and your neighbors. Let’s all work together to keep our roadways safe for our families.”
According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Office of Highway Safety (KOHS), distracted driving contributes to more than 40,000 crashes, 11,000 injuries, and 150 deaths each year in Kentucky. National data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that using a phone while driving is particularly dangerous, combining visual, manual, and cognitive distractions.
“Even if you’re a responsible driver, others may not be,” said Transportation Secretary Jim Gray. “Your first line of defense is always wearing your seat belt. It only takes two seconds, and those few seconds can save your life.”
KOHS reports that nearly half of all motor vehicle fatalities in Kentucky involve occupants who were not wearing seat belts. NHTSA notes that seat belts protect the strongest parts of the body — the chest, hips, and shoulders — helping distribute crash forces more evenly and reducing the risk of serious injury or death.
The Buckle Up, Phone Down campaign began in Missouri in 2017 and has since expanded to nearly two dozen states. Kentucky adopted the initiative in 2019, with Gov. Beshear issuing similar proclamations in 2023 and 2024.
