FRANKFORT, Ky. – Gov. Steve Beshear has signed a proclamation declaring Nov. 22-29 as a week of “Distracted Driving Awareness” in Kentucky.
“Minimizing distractions in your vehicle may help save lives and prevent untold numbers of injuries,” Beshear said. “I urge everyone driving on our state’s roads this Thanksgiving to pay attention and drive carefully.”
According to crash statistics, driver distraction caused more than 53,000 crashes in Kentucky last year, resulting in more than 15,000 injuries and 199 fatalities. Seven of those fatalities were related to cell phone use.
“It’s not just talking on a cell phone,” said Chuck Geveden, executive director of the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety. “People can text, e-mail and even surf the Internet from their phones.”
“We see drivers every day eating, drinking, grooming and even reading,” Geveden said. “Some distractions, such as conversations with passengers, may not be as obvious because the driver’s eyes are on the road but their attention is still diverted.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that driver distraction and inattention contributes to 25 percent of reported traffic crashes nationwide.
“Thanksgiving is the iconic American holiday, a traditional time of family gatherings,” Geveden said. “Unfortunately, it takes just a moment’s distraction to turn a happy occasion into a tragedy.”
Geveden encouraged motorists to take one critical step that offers the best defense in a crash. “Take a few seconds to buckle your seat belt,” he said. “It is your best defense against a distracted driver.”
For more information visit highwaysafety.ky.gov.
