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Preliminary Crash Statistics for 2008

According to preliminary statistics, there were four separate fatal accidents on Kentucky roads during the New Year’s holiday period from 6:00 PM, Wednesday, December 31, 2008 to Sunday, January 4, 2009.  Four people were killed in the accidents, which is down from the same holiday period in 2007-2008 when seven people were fatally injured in six crashes.

Alcohol appears to have been a factor in two of the four fatal accidents.  Motor vehicles were involved in all of the accidents and three of the victims were reported as not wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash.

Based on preliminary statistics, which may not include all of the information from the local law enforcement agencies throughout Kentucky, there were 816 fatalities during 2008 that occurred on Kentucky roadways.  It was reported that out of the 633 motor vehicle fatalities, 393 of the victims were not wearing their seatbelts.  There were 89 motorcycle fatalities and 53 of the victims were not wearing helmets at the time of the accidents.  That same year, there were 65 pedestrian fatalities and 6 bicycle fatalities.  Alcohol-related accidents took the lives of 175 people in 2008.

"There were 48 fewer highway fatalities in Kentucky during 2008 than in 2007, when a total of 864 people lost their lives in traffic crashes. The reduction in fatalities comes from a combined effort by enforcement and educational highway safety initiatives across the Commonwealth.  We must remain vigilant with enforcement of the primary seat belt law to reduce the number of highway deaths in 2009," said Kentucky State Police Commander, Sgt. David Jude.

He also added that seatbelt usage, helmet usage, lowered speeds and avoidance of drugs and alcohol while operating a motor vehicle reduced the amount of deaths on Kentucky roads in 2008. 

A toll free hotline has been created that allows citizens to report erratic drivers to the Kentucky State Police.  The number is 1-800-222-5555.

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