Kentucky Office of Highway Safety

08/28/2023

08/25/2023

08/23/2023

More than 100 Kentucky state and local law enforcement officers were honored for extraordinary efforts to protect drivers and their passengers at the Governor’s Occupant Protection Enforcement Awards held today at the Embassy Suites in Lexington.

Those receiving awards represented 91 law enforcement agencies.
Awards were presented to those with the most occupant protection citations in each agency and in each division from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

08/23/2023

We’re kicking off the 2023 Governor’s Occupant Protection Enforcement Awards ceremony, rewarding those throughout the state working to reduce deaths and injuries on our roadways.

08/21/2023

We’ve gotten some new followers lately… Nice to meet you, where you been? 🤝 Us? We’ve been making roads safer since 1912.

08/19/2023

08/17/2023

As Labor Day quickly approaches, Kentuckians are reminded to celebrate the end of summer safely by planning for a sober, designated driver if festivities include alcohol.

While law enforcement officers patrol for impaired drivers year-round, impaired driving crashes typically increase over holidays, so the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Office of Highway Safety is joining NHTSA and law enforcement across the nation in reminding drivers to “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” during the campaign Aug. 18 - Sept. 4.

Last year during the Labor Day holiday weekend, there were 76 crashes involving an impaired driver, resulting in 44 injuries and one death.

https://www.kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=DepartmentofTransportation&prId=383

08/17/2023

Check out the Rollover Simulator at the Kentucky State Police booth located in the south wing of the Kentucky Exposition Center.

The simulator uses life–size dummies to demonstrate what may happen to motor vehicle occupants in a rollover crash, both buckled and unbuckled. Unbuckled, the dummies are ejected from the simulator as it rolls. Buckled, the dummies remain safely restrained.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

08/16/2023

No matter where you see the sign - STOP! 🛑

🛑 Stop means STOP 🛑

08/12/2023

here we come!

08/11/2023

PLEASE FOLLOW! 🚗 🚗 Follow your highway district on social media to get up-to-date notifications for traffic, construction and transportation news in your area. 👣
http://bit.ly/Follow-your-district

🚗 🚗 Follow your highway district on social media to get up-to-date notifications for traffic, construction and transportation news in your area. 👣
http://bit.ly/Follow-your-district

08/09/2023

It's that time of year! Slow down and pay attention when approaching a school bus or school zone.

It’s back-to-school time, and the buses will be rolling. Please use caution in areas with children. Here are some reminders about when to STOP for a school bus!
- 2 LANE ROADWAY - When the school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.
- 2 LANE ROADWAY + CENTER TURN When school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.
- 4 LANE ROADWAY NO MEDIAN SEPARATION When a school bus stops for passengers, only traffic following the bus must stop.
- 4 LANES + DIVIDED HIGHWAY + MEDIAN SEPARATION When a school bus stops for passengers, only traffic following the bus must stop.
- 4 LANES + ROADWAY + CENTER TURN When a school bus stops for passengers, only traffic following the bus must stop.

Image from the Kentucky Dept of Education – download the pdf at https://education.ky.gov/districts/trans/Pages/back-to-school-campaign.aspx

08/08/2023

Our two newest law enforcement liaisons, Jeff Liles and Tony Lucas, getting ready to work the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police conference.

08/07/2023

Please and for emergency responders!

Kentucky passed a Move Over law in 2003 requiring motorists to move over to the adjacent lane when approaching an emergency vehicle or public safety vehicle with flashing lights (KRS 189.930). If changing lanes is impossible or unsafe, motorists must slow down and use caution. Failure to do so can result in fines, jail time or both.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Kentucky Office of Highway Safety

08/03/2023

DID YOU KNOW? Kentucky's Move Over law protects all first responders, including law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, safety service patrols and towing vehicles. Slow down and move over if safely possible when passing emergency vehicles.

08/02/2023

If you see flashing lights on the side of the road, slow down and move over. It’s not just a courtesy to emergency personnel—it’s the law.

08/02/2023

Please slow down and for emergency vehicles.

*MOVE OVER*
In 2003, KSP Trooper Bryan Judd was struck by a vehicle that failed to move over on I-75. He was responding to as collision, and as Trooper Judd opened his door to exit his cruiser, he was struck by another vehicle and thrown into the cruiser.

Trooper Judd had several injuries that resulted in multiple surgeries on his spine that could have left him paralyzed. After more than three years of recovery, Judd returned to work with KSP and has made it his mission to enforce the Move Over campaign and pleads with drivers to drive with caution.

“Thankfully, I was able to see my family again after the accident, but the next person may not be as lucky,” said Trooper Judd. “Please move over and slow down for any law enforcement and emergency vehicle on the side of the road.”

Kentucky has a Move Over law requiring motorists to move over to the adjacent lane when approaching an emergency vehicle or public safety vehicle with flashing lights (KRS 189.930). If changing lanes is impossible or unsafe, motorists must slow down and use caution.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Kentucky Office of Highway Safety

08/01/2023

DID YOU KNOW? The best car seat is the one that fits the child, fits the vehicle and a caregiver can use correctly every time. Learn more about car seat types and car seat selection: https://bit.ly/3DrxFM9

What is the safest seat? The best car seat is the one that fits the child, fits the vehicle and a caregiver can use correctly every time. Learn more about car seat types and car seat selection: https://bit.ly/3DrxFM9

National Safety Council National CPS Certification NHTSA Safe Kids Worldwide

08/01/2023

Protect those who protect you. Slow down and when passing emergency vehicles.

https://www.kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=DepartmentofTransportation&prId=382

07/31/2023

Are you ready in case of an emergency?

07/31/2023

Q: When should you move your child from a rear-facing to forward-facing car seat? A: When the child uses a rear-facing car seat until reaching the maximum weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer.

Get more car seat information and safety tips: https://www.cpsboard.org/car-seat-safety/

National Safety Council National CPS Certification NHTSA Safe Kids Worldwide

07/28/2023

Heatstroke kills. Please .

Kentucky is in a heat wave and that's why we are asking YOU to keep an eye out for children and pets left in vehicles. Please dial 911 if you see an unaccompanied child or pet in distress.

07/25/2023

DID YOU KNOW? You have THREE license renewal options! Renew online, by mail or in-person at any Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Driver Licensing Regional Office! Learn more at https://drive.ky.gov/.../Pages/Drivers-License-Compare.aspx

Kentuckians now have three license renewal options! Renew online, by mail or in-person at any Driver Licensing Regional Office! Learn more at https://drive.ky.gov/Drivers/Pages/Drivers-License-Compare.aspx

07/24/2023

If you are on the road, please buckle up and put the phone down! Be safe, Kentucky.

07/21/2023

Please slow down and pay attention in work zones.

Construction season is in full swing, which means you may encounter orange barrels on Kentucky roadways. Here are some tips to help navigate work zones safely:

- Plan your route before you go. Check goky.ky.gov or the app for up-to-date traffic and construction information.
- Slow down when in a work zone. Look for reduced speed limit signs.
- Avoid distractions. Focus on the zone, not your phone.
- Always buckle up.

Safe driving means that everyone on the road, behind the wheel or a barrel, gets home safely.

07/19/2023

BOURBON COUNTY! Go to B Town Hub on Aug. 3 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. and visit with the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office and Kentucky State Police as they promote seat belt safety and hand out materials such as coloring books and stickers for kids!

07/19/2023

In honor of Rural Road Safety Awareness Week, we're continuing our road trip with the National Center for Rural Road Safety.
“Slow down” is good advice, but that's not all that can be done to promote safe speeds on rural roads. Our third destination introduces speed countermeasures, their costs, and why practitioners should consider them for their local roads. Learn more here: https://ruralsafetycenter.org/.../speed-countermeasures.../

“Slow down” is the good advice, but it is not always the appropriate response to speeding. There is more that can be done to promote safe speeds on rural roads.

Our third destination introduces speed countermeasures, their costs, and why practitioners should consider them for their local roads. Learn more here: https://ruralsafetycenter.org/rural-road-safety-awareness-week-2023/speed-countermeasures-rural-roads/

07/18/2023

In honor of Rural Road Safety Awareness Week, we're continuing our road trip with the National Center for Rural Road Safety, but there is no need to speed! Research shows that speeding does not significantly reduce travel times on rural roadways.
Our second destination sheds light on why speed management is important. Learn about the connection between speed, crashes, and what practitioners can do to establish safe speeds on rural roads here: https://ruralsafetycenter.org/.../speed-management-is.../

Taking a road trip? There is no need to speed. Research shows that speeding does not significantly reduce travel times on rural roadways.

Our second destination sheds light on why speed management is important.

Learn about the connection between speed, crashes, and what practitioners can do to establish safe speeds on rural roads here: https://ruralsafetycenter.org/rural-road-safety-awareness-week-2023/speed-management-is-important/

07/17/2023

Today kicks off Rural Road Safety Awareness Week! Excessive speeds are a problem across the country. In fact, deaths on rural roads account for 38 percent of all speed-related traffic fatalities in the U.S. That’s over 4,000 deaths a year.
So, we’re going on a road trip – the Great American Road Trip - with National Center for Rural Road Safety! The first destination is an introduction to rural speed challenges. Learn about these rural-specific issues and how they can be overcome here: https://ruralsafetycenter.org/rur.../rural-speed-challenges/

A long drive on a rural road in the middle of nowhere can feel liberating. But not too fast; speeding can result in serious injury and death. Speed is a factor in 27 percent of rural roadway fatalities.

Our first destination is an introduction to rural speed challenges. Learn about these rural-specific issues and how they can be overcome here: https://ruralsafetycenter.org/rural-road-safety-awareness-week-2023/rural-speed-challenges/

07/13/2023

Rural Road Safety Awareness Week is coming up! Be sure to follow National Center for Rural Road Safety for more information.

Excessive speeds are a problem across the country. In fact, speeding deaths on rural roads account for 38 percent of all speed-related traffic fatalities in the U.S. That’s over 4,000 […]

07/11/2023

Approximately 25% of crashes in Kentucky involve a speeding or aggressive driver, so we're partnering with law enforcement agencies across the state on the ‘Not So Fast, Kentucky’ speed awareness campaign through July 31.

Speed limits are the law and enforceable if not obeyed. Driving over the limit greatly reduces a driver’s ability to respond to unexpected situations, such as stopped or slowed traffic, an object in the road, or encountering vulnerable road users such as highway workers, pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists.

Click for more information: https://www.kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=DepartmentofTransportation&prId=379

07/11/2023

07/07/2023

DO YOU KNOW? Where are your airbags? Read your vehicle manual to find out!

Modern vehicles have airbags in many places, and it is natural to wonder if they will affect your child’s car seat. The way to answer your questions is to read the manuals for your car seat and vehicle. If you have trouble finding your answer, speak with the company’s customer service department.

National Safety Council National CPS Certification NHTSA Safe Kids Worldwide

07/06/2023

A Below 100 class, developed to eliminate preventable line-of-duty deaths and injuries, was held today in Bardstown. A special thank you to Kim Schlau for sharing the tragic story of her daughters' death. To honor Kim's dedication to saving lives and her regular participation in Below 100 classes in Kentucky, she was named a Kentucky Colonel and received her certificate from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet State Highway Engineer Jason Siwula. Learn more about the class at https://www.below100.org/

07/06/2023

Do you really want to see the blue lights behind you - whether you are on the road or on the water?

Boating while impaired is illegal AND dangerous! The water is meant to be fun - enjoy it safely!

07/04/2023

Keep your independence this Independence Day — never drink and drive! or Get Pulled Over.

07/01/2023

Have travel plans for the 4th of July? 🎆 Know before you go! Make sure to plan ahead when driving.

☀️ Check weather and traffic conditions. Visit goky.ky.gov
☀️ Download the free Waze app.
☀️ Pack an emergency kit for your vehicle -https://youtu.be/L6TrPuc4SOE

07/01/2023

06/30/2023

Visit NHTSA.gov/tires for more information.