Nelson County KY Emergency Management

05/04/2026

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Office of Highway Safety


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Team Kentucky Urges Road Users To Look Twice and Share the Road
May is Motorcycle and Bike Safety Awareness Month
FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 4, 2026) – Warmer weather means there are more ways Kentuckians may choose to travel on state roadways. Whether riding, biking or driving, Team Kentucky urges everyone to stay alert, look twice and share the road to keep all travelers safe.

“Let’s all do our part to make our roads safer by sharing them with those traveling on motorcycles or bicycles,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “Safety is a shared responsibility and looking out for each other can save lives.”

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s (KYTC) Office of Highway Safety (KOHS) is joining the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to remind all road users to work together to help prevent crashes, injuries and deaths on Kentucky roadways.

While motorcycles and bicycles have the right to use most roadways, they are typically much smaller than other vehicles in the traffic stream. As such, a motorcycle or bicycle may be in a larger vehicle’s blind spots.

In 2025, Kentucky recorded 1,490 motorcycle crashes, resulting in 1,092 injuries, and 114 deaths (109 were motorcyclists.) Compared to 2024:

175 fewer crashes (10.5% decrease)
143 fewer injuries (11.6% decrease)
8 more total deaths (7.5% increase)
3 more motorcyclist deaths (2.8% increase)
72 fewer multi-vehicle crashes (8.0% decrease)
There were 465 crashes involving bicycles, resulting in 305 injuries and 10 fatalities. Compared to 2024, bicycle crashes and injuries have increased in 2025; however, Kentucky’s total fatalities are down by two from 2024.

“Be aware of your surroundings. Looking twice and knowing who is near you can save a life,” said Transportation Secretary Rebecca Goodman. “When changing lanes, turning, or traveling on the road, ensure no one is in your blind spot.”

One way Team Kentucky is working to keep motorcyclists safe is through the RideSmartKY program. Administered by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Office of Highway Safety and overseen by the Motorcycle Safety Education Commission, the program was established in 1992 to help both new and experienced riders stay safe on Kentucky roadways.

With 11 training centers across the state, motorcycle riders can enroll in courses ranging from basic to advanced. Successful completion of a course waives both the written and skills tests required to obtain a motorcycle endorsement.

Whether you ride, pedal, or drive, we all have a role to play in making our roadways safer.

The KOHS offers the following tips for drivers:

Be aware: Put your phone down and eliminate all distractions.
Check surroundings: Regularly check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes or entering intersections.
Signal intentions: Use turn signals to communicate your actions.
Respect all road users: Maintain a safe following distance, give adequate space when passing and do not obstruct bike lanes.
Drive responsibly: Adhere to traffic laws. Obey speed limits to better identify and react to potential hazards, drive sober and always wear a seat belt.


The KOHS offers the following tips for motorcyclists:

Stay safe and visible: Always wear a DOT-compliant helmet and brightly colored protective gear with reflective elements. Position yourself in the lane where you are most visible to other drivers.
Be aware: Maintain focus on the road and traffic at all times.
Signal intentions: Use turn signals and hand signals for every maneuver.
Ride responsibly: Adhere to traffic laws. Obey speed limits to better identify and react to potential hazards and always ride sober.
Take a rider training course: Find information on classes at ride.ky.gov.
The KOHS offers the following tips for bicyclists:

Stay safe and visible: Always wear a properly fitted helmet that meets the Consumer Product Safety Commission standards and brightly colored protective gear with reflective elements.
Be aware: Maintain focus on the road and traffic at all times. Scan ahead for possible obstacles in your path, such as parked cars or cars pulling out or into parking spaces or driveways.
Signal intentions: Use hand signals when changing lanes or turning.
Ride responsibly: Adhere to traffic laws. Ride in the same direction as traffic and always ride sober.
Check equipment. Make sure your brakes are working and tires are properly inflated before riding.

04/27/2026

04/22/2026

🚧 Travel Alert: Upcoming I-65 Closure 🚧

With travel season approaching, we want to give everyone a heads up about an upcoming I-65 closure.

04/13/2026

April (April 12-18) is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. This week, sponsored by the Association of Public -Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International and celebrated annually, honors the thousands of men and women who respond to emergency calls, dispatch emergency professionals and equipment, and render life-saving assistance to the world's citizens.

The Telecommunicators within the Nelson County Dispatch Center are the "Heroes Behind the Headsets". They perform daily with quick response, critical actions, and speed while answering calls and exchanging vital information between directed law enforcement and directed agencies. Each call is handled with professional diligence and compassion. They are the true heroes that are not seen, but are the ones who are vital to the Citizens of Nelson County.

Nelson County Judge-Executive, Tim Hutchins, issued a proclamation making the week of April 12-18, 2026, as " National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week" and honored the Nelson County E-911 Dispatch Center's staff.

04/02/2026

https://www.weather.gov/lmk/skywarn

Additional online courses are available via the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) COMET Program. Like the NWS Louisville online modules, these courses can be completed at your own pace, and serve as an excellent supplement to training offered by the NWS.   

04/01/2026

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and Kentuckians are reminded to drive distraction-free to keep themselves and others safe on the road. As part of this month’s awareness efforts, a high-visibility enforcement campaign, “Put the Phone Away or Pay,” will run April 6–13 to reduce distracted driving through increased enforcement and public education.

Over the past decade, distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of vehicle crashes on our nation’s roads. Based on statewide law enforcement collision data maintained by Kentucky State Police, there were 5,503 crashes in 2025, 18 of which were fatal, linked to distracted driving, including cellphone use.

"There is nothing more important than your safety and the safety of your fellow Kentuckians,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “We ask that everyone do their part and put the phone down while driving – it could help save a life, prevent a life-altering injury or spare lifelong regret.”

Officials from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Office of Highway Safety and the Kentucky State Police (KSP) joined forces to support the enforcement campaign spearheaded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

To encourage safe driving behaviors early in life, teens are encouraged to participate in this year’s Kentucky Safe Teen Driving Challenge. Teens aged 15 -19 with a learner’s permit or driver’s license can register through April 16. Using a smartphone app, participants’ driving behaviors will be evaluated on five core safe habits, see real-time insights to help adapt driving behaviors, and compete to be named as Kentucky’s safest teen driver. A total of $10,000 in cash prizes, sponsored by Intoximeters, AAA East Central and AAA Blue Grass, will be awarded to the top five scorers. The teen with the highest overall score will win $3,000 and their school will be recognized.

“Teen drivers are some of our most vulnerable on the road due to their inexperience,” said Kentucky Office of Highway Safety Executive Director Ryan Fisher. “We are committed to keeping them safe and reminding all drivers that no text or phone call is worth a life. Stay focused and stay safe.”

There are three types of distraction when behind the wheel: visual, manual and cognitive. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, any one of these can be dangerous on its own. Using a phone while driving is especially risky because it combines all three.

In Kentucky, drivers under 18 are prohibited from using a personal communication device while the vehicle is in motion, except in emergencies to contact law enforcement or medical services (KRS 189.294).

“Distracted driving is one of the dangers on our roadways that is completely preventable,” KSP Public Affairs Branch Commander Sgt. Sudduth said. “Whether it’s a cellphone, adjusting the radio, or anything else that takes your attention away from driving, those few seconds can change lives forever. The Kentucky State Police is committed to protecting the people of this commonwealth, and that includes encouraging drivers to stay focused and make safety their top priority every time they get behind the wheel.”

03/30/2026

🚨 Planned Controlled Burn Notification 🚨

Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources will be conducting a planned controlled burn of over 100 acres beginning at 11:00 AM on Monday, 3/30.

Residents in the Monks Rd, Abby, and New Hope areas should expect to see large smoke plumes throughout the day.

🔥 This is a controlled burn, and emergency personnel will be on site monitoring the area. There is no cause for alarm.

03/15/2026

03/13/2026

Our next impactful weather system is expected Sunday night into Monday as a strong cold front will blast across the region. As the front passes, a line of strong to severe storms is likely before temperatures plummet into the 30s by Monday morning. Gusty winds outside of storms are also expected this weekend.