As travelers and families hit the roadways for the holiday, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is reminding Thanksgiving travelers important lifesaving reminders — buckle up and put the phone down.
Governor Andy Beshear says the upcoming holiday is one of the busiest travel times of the year, so they are asking Kentuckians to extend their commitment to safety and health onto the state’s roadways. He adds they believe that if all drivers practice these two simple behaviors — buckle up, and put the phone down — lives will be saved.
According to the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety, each year in the commonwealth, distracted driving results in more than 50,000 crashes, more than 15,000 injuries and approximately 200 deaths.
Secretary Jim Gray with the state’s transportation cabinet says sometimes even the most attentive drivers are involved in a crash caused by other drivers. He adds that’s why wearing a seat belt is the best defense against serious injuries and death. He says it is your best protection against a speeding, distracted or drunken driver.
Officials with the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety say more than half of those killed in motor vehicles are not wearing a seat belt.
Gray says a seat belt is the best way to ensure you and your loved ones make it home safely so buckle up.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, when worn correctly, seat belts reduce the risk of death by 45 percent for front-seat vehicle occupants and by 60 percent for pickup truck, SUV and minivan occupants.
