Kentucky Governor recognizes ‘Buckle Up, Phone Down Day’ on October 30

KENTUCKY(KBSI) – Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is asking Kentucky residents to take two simple actions to make highways safer for everyone as the state recognizes the second inaugural ‘Buckle Up, Phone Down Day’ on October 30.

Over the past decade, distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of vehicle crashes.

According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s (KYTC) Office of Highway Safety, each year in Kentucky, distracted driving results in more than 40,000 crashes, more than 11,000 injuries and more than 150 deaths.

“Every time we get behind the wheel, we take on the responsibility to protect ourselves and those around us,” said Gov. Beshear. “Buckling up and putting the phone down are practical ways to keep everyone safe and avoid losing more lives on our roads.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), while anything that takes a driver’s eyes off the road, hands off the wheel or mind off the task of driving is a hazard, texting and using a phone while driving is especially risky because it combines all three types of distraction – visual, manual and cognitive.