As we approach the end of the year, officials with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is joining with the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety to remind everyone to buckle up during the holiday driving season.
As of December 13, KYTC spokesman Keith Todd says the Kentucky Highway Fatality Report indicates there have been 669 fatalities in the state, down from 748 fatalities on the same date last year.
He notes the 2018 fatality count works out to average about two fatalities a day on Kentucky highways, putting the state on track for about 700 fatalities this year. Using that number, Todd says there are approximately 35 people who are alive today who will not here when 2019 rolls in on January 1st.
Some additional things that stick out in the 2018 fatality report include:
– 67 pedestrian fatalities — a number on the rise
– 85 motorcycle fatalities compared to 78 total last year
– Almost 12 percent of fatals involved alcohol
– 53 percent of those who died were not wearing a seat belt.
State transportation officials are urging everyone to buckle up as you head over the river and through the woods to Grandma’s house this holiday season.
AAA forecasts than one-third of Americans will take to the nation’s runways, roadways, and rails this holiday season. Officials say the record-breaking 112.5 million travelers represents a 4.4 percent increase over last year and the most since AAA began tracking holiday travel. Officials add a recent drop in gas prices is motivating more Americans to hit the road this holiday season.
The year-end holiday travel period is defined as Saturday, December 22 through Tuesday, January 1, 2019. The eleven-day span is one day longer than last year, due to Christmas and New Year’s Day falling on Tuesdays this year.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
