Highway fatalities in Kentucky increased 3.3 percent in 2021 compared to 2020, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s (KYTC) Office of Highway Safety and the Kentucky State Police.
Last year, there were 806 highway fatalities. Approximately 15 percent involved alcohol, 15 percent involved distracted drivers, 26 percent involved speeding or aggressive drivers, and 54.7 percent were not wearing a seat belt.
Of the deaths, 88 were motorcyclists and 85 were pedestrians and bicyclists.
“While numbers are important to identify potential issues and areas of concern, highway safety is not all about numbers – it’s about people,” said KYTC Secretary Jim Gray. “Reaching our goal of zero traffic deaths in Kentucky is a challenge, but we remain committed to making roadway safety improvements and working with our local, state, and federal partners to move the needle.”
Preliminary numbers indicate there have been 175 roadway deaths so far this year, down 16 compared to April 2021.
The KYTC’s 2021-2022 and 2023-2024 budgets included additional funding for safety improvements.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, properly fastened seat belts are the best chance of preventing injury or death in a crash. Additionally, combining public awareness campaigns with high visibility enforcement efforts is the most effective way to help reduce deaths.