Report: Kentucky Highway Traffic Fatalities Increased in 2019
Highway traffic fatalities in Kentucky increased by 10 last year, according to a preliminary count.
According to initial data, there were 734 fatalities in 2019, compared to 724 in 2018, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Office of Highway Safety said in a statement on Monday.
“A single death is one too many,” Transportation Secretary Jim Gray said. “And our 2020 Recommended Highway Plan is our commitment to improving highway safety. Through this plan Governor Beshear calls for a historic $100 million investment in the Highway Safety Improvement Program and an aggressive move to install more than 100 miles of life-saving guardrail across the Commonwealth.”
The Office of Highway Safety is increasing efforts to encourage safe driving habits through localized media campaigns and partnerships, said acting Director Jason Siwula.
The figures will remain preliminary until all highway crash data is collected and a final report will be released in April.
Preliminary numbers so far in 2020 indicate there have been 56 traffic fatalities, which is 17 less than last year at the same time.