Fatal highway crashes in Kentucky reach lowest point in a decade
The number of traffic-related highway fatalities in Kentucky reached its lowest point in a decade last year, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Thursday.
Beshear said the number of highway fatalities dropped to 707 in 2024, down 107 from 2023. Data provided by the governor’s office shows that 2024 produced the third-lowest highway fatality total since 2000.
“These numbers mean fewer families have had to deal with such a painful loss, and it’s welcome news,” Beshear said in a press release. “By working together, we can ensure everyone traveling on Kentucky’s roadways makes it home safely.”
About 47% of the occupants involved in last year’s fatal highway crashes were not wearing a seat belt, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Office of Highway Safety and Kentucky State Police.
Beshear encouraged all drivers to buckle up before hitting the road, as wearing a seat belt cuts your risk of a fatal injury in a crash nearly in half, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“We’re asking motorists and passengers to commit to safe driving behaviors when behind the wheel, such as buckling up, putting the phone down, obeying the speed limit and driving sober,” Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray said in the news release. “This helps keep our roadways safe, not only for those in vehicles, but for all road users, such as pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists.”
Pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists accounted for 206 highway deaths in 2024, Beshear said.
About 33% of the fatal crashes involved speeding or aggressive drivers, Beshear said. About 22% involved driver distraction, and 19% involved alcohol.
Fatal crashes in Fayette County dropped last year too: Thirty-eight people died in crashes in Lexington last year, down from 53 in 2023.
Preliminary data show 182 roadway deaths statewide so far this year, down another 17.2% compared with the same time last year, according to Beshear.
But fatal crashes have killed 18 people in Fayette County so far this year, 11 more than this time last year, according to KSP data.
