Highway deaths in KY increased in 2023

(KBSI) – Highway deaths in Kentucky increased in 2023.

Last year had 813 deaths, up from 744 in 2022 and the highest since 2016.

State transportation officials encourage drivers to practice safe driving behaviors along with infrastructure improvements and enforcement campaigns.

More than half of reported deaths involve unbelted drivers and passengers, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

“Any life lost on a Kentucky road is one too many, especially those that could have been prevented,” said Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. “We can all commit to buckling up, staying aware and driving sober and distraction-free, and Team Kentucky is committed to continuing to build safer bridges and roadways so we can reach our goal of zero traffic deaths.”

Of the 813 fatalities, 51% were not wearing a seat belt and 16% involved alcohol, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Office of Highway Safety and Kentucky State Police.

About 33% involved speeding or aggressive drivers. One-fifth or 20% involved driver distraction. Pedestrians and bicyclists accounted for 137 deaths. Motorcyclists accounted for 105.

“We’re asking motorists and passengers to commit to safe driving behaviors when behind the wheel, such as buckling up, putting the phone down, obeying the speed limit and driving sober,” said KYTC Secretary Jim Gray. “This helps keep our roadways safe, not only for those in vehicles, but for all road users, such as pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists.”

One of the most effective ways to help reduce highway traffic deaths is to combine public awareness campaigns with high-visibility enforcement efforts, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“The last thing we want to do is notify someone that their loved one has been in a fatal crash. So, if we can potentially save a life by enforcing traffic laws, we’ll do it,” said KSP Capt. Paul Blanton. “At the end of the day, we want everyone to make it home safely.”

The newly launched KYTC Office of Highway Safety website features a new addition titled “Memory Lane” in an effort to help families pay tribute to loved ones killed on Kentucky highways. It is a digital memorial space created for immediate family members to post stories and pay tribute to loved ones lost in traffic crashes.

“Highway safety is about more than numbers – it’s about people,” said Secretary Gray. “Our hope is that Memory Lane will help families honor their loved ones and, in turn, inspire others reading these stories to make safe choices when behind the wheel or riding along.”

Wearing a seat belt gives travelers the best chance of preventing injury or death if involved in a crash, according to NHTSA.

Properly fastened seat belts contact the strongest parts of the body like the chest, hips and shoulders. A seat belt spreads the force of a crash over a wide area of the body, putting less stress on any one part, and allows the body to slow down with the crash, extending the time when the crash forces are felt by the person.

“We encourage motorists to make safe choices on the road because it’s the right thing to do, not just because it is the law,” said Capt. Blanton. “Some may see it as an inconvenience, but traffic laws are in place for a reason – to save lives.”

Preliminary numbers so far in 2024 indicate 170 roadway deaths, down 13.7% compared with the same time last year.

KYTC implements infrastructure projects to improve safety by preventing deaths and serious injuries along our highways, roads and streets.

A state and federally funded pilot project is planned to begin this summer. It will test innovative technology solutions that detect and deter wrong-way crashes along select interstate ramps before implementation on six corridors in Fayette and Jefferson counties. Roadway improvements like as striping and additional signage are part of an effort to curb wrong-way crashes statewide.

In 2023, the KYTC Office of Highway Safety implemented the High Five Rural Traffic Safety Project (High Five) – a 12-month public safety initiative to increase seat belt use and decrease serious crashes in five rural Kentucky counties. High Five strategies focus on education, enforcement and engineering. Law enforcement officials promote seat belt use. They explain how it saves lives through traffic safety checkpoints, school programs and other community outreach activities.