Coronavirus Alert - For the latest information on the Coronavirus in Kentucky, please visit kycovid19.ky.gov

For the latest updates on driving and motor vehicle services, please visit drive.ky.gov

For the latest updates on KYTC office and facility closures and reopenings, Click Here

Kentucky Office of Highway Safety

MISSION:

"To support effective and collaborative partnerships to advance traffic safety awareness, education, and enforcement in an effort to save lives on Kentucky roadways."

The Kentucky Office of Highway Safety works specifically to save lives by reducing Kentucky’s highway crashes, injuries, and fatalities through relevant data-driven, outcomes-based approaches and effective program delivery.

KENTUCKY HIGHWAY SAFETY NEWS

KYTC Reminds Drivers to Obey Posted Speed Limits

Stop Speeding Before it Stops You

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 6, 2020) – As the Commonwealth reopens and traffic continues to increase, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's (KYTC) Office of Highway Safety (KOHS) is reminding drivers to 'Stop Speeding Before it Stops You.'

"Speeding is 100% preventable and obeying the posted speed limit reduces the risk of death or injury for drivers, passengers and other road users," said KYTC Secretary Jim Gray. "Safe driving is one way we can all be a good neighbor on the road."

According to the KOHS, approximately 30 percent of fatal crashes in Kentucky last year involved a speeding and/or aggressive driver.

"Too many lives are lost each year in speed-related crashes," said KOHS Acting Executive Director Jason Siwula. "Whether you are driving a car, truck or motorcycle, we urge you to eliminate all distractions and drive at a safe, legal speed."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding is involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle deaths nationwide.

"Driving over the speed 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 pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists," said Siwula. "In order to save lives, we must all work together, making safe choices each time we get behind the wheel."

NHTSA provides the following tips for dealing with speeding and/or aggressive drivers:

Do not challenge the driver by speeding up or attempting to hold your lane.
Give them plenty of space, as they may lose control of their vehicle more easily.
Avoid eye contact and ignore gestures.
Wear your seat belt! It is your best defense against injury and death.
If you are safely able to report an aggressive driver to law enforcement, provide a vehicle description, license number, location, and if possible, direction of travel.
If you are being followed by an aggressive driver, drive to a safe place such as the nearest police or fire station, gas station or other places where there are people. Use your horn to get someone's attention. Do not get out of your car and do not drive home.

For more information, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding

NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Burnice Wayne Gentry, Kentucky Operation Lifesaver, www.kyoi.org

Jennifer DeAngelis, Operation Lifesaver, Inc., news@oli.org

Rail Safety Week Observance Going Virtual in 2020

Public urged to help #STOPTrackTragedies

Louisville, Kentucky, September 21, 2020 – Every year, 2,100 North Americans are killed or seriously injured when they engage in unsafe behavior around tracks and trains. Kentucky Operation Lifesaver is joining Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI), Operation Lifesaver Canada and the Mexican Association of Railroads (AMF) from September 21-27 to observe Rail Safety Week in North America.

"Due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year Rail Safety Week will emphasize virtual activities and social media to share our lifesaving messages," said Kentucky Operation Lifesaver State Coordinator Wayne Gentry. We are kicking off the week today with a State Rail Safety Week proclamation. We also will connect with our Kentucky communities virtually by sharing rail safety messages about making safe choices around trains and tracks."

In Kentucky each year, over 60 people are killed or injured in grade crossing and trespassing incidents. Operation Lifesaver works to prevent these needless incidents from happening.

As part of Rail Safety week, the organization is releasing new video and audio public service announcements (PSAs) in their ongoing public awareness campaign aimed at saving lives near railroad tracks. The campaign, called #STOPTrackTragedies, features videos with personal stories of people directly affected by rail crossing or trespassing incidents — including victims, friends and family members, locomotive engineers, and first responders. The full campaign can be viewed at oli.org/stop-track-tragedies.

In Kentucky and across the U.S., along with the PSAs and a social media campaign, the following themes will be emphasized:

Monday, September 21 kicks off the week with a focus on Media Outreach and Rail Safety Week Proclamations in states and localities.
Tuesday, September 22 focuses on Law Enforcement and First Responder Partnerships through virtual and social media messaging as part of the fourth annual observance of Operation Clear Track, emphasizing the importance of obeying crossing safety and anti-trespass laws.
Wednesday, September 23 highlights Crossing Safety, with outreach to professional drivers on safe crossing techniques and highlighting blue and white emergency notification system (ENS) signs at crossings.
Thursday, September 24, Transit Safety Thursday, showcases how to stay safe as a rail commuter or transit rider.
Friday, September 25 focuses on Wearing Red or "Red Out" for Rail Safety to show support for safety near tracks and trains.
Saturday, September 26 highlights Trespass Prevention, educating pedestrians about the dangers posed by being on or near the tracks.
Sunday, September 27 promotes No Photos on Tracks messaging underscoring the risks of illegally taking photos, videos, or filming on train tracks for professional and amateur photographers alike.

Visitors to oli.org will be asked to join the virtual Rail Safety Week effort by sharing the Stop Track Tragedies videos and social media messaging using the hashtags #STOPTrackTragedies and #railsafetyweek.

About Operation Lifesaver, Inc.

Operation Lifesaver is a nonprofit public safety education and awareness organization dedicated to reducing collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail crossings and preventing trespassing on or near railroad tracks. A national network of trained volunteers gives free presentations on rail safety and a public awareness campaign, "See Tracks? Think Train!" provides tips and statistics to encourage safe behavior near the tracks. Learn more about Rail Safety Week; follow OLI on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube. www.kyol.org

About Operation Lifesaver Canada

Operation Lifesaver Canada is a national public rail-safety program sponsored by Transport Canada, the Railway Association of Canada and its members, including CN, CP, VIA Rail, Metrolinx, exo, West Coast Express and Genesee & Wyoming, among others. Through its national network of Rail Safety Ambassadors, partnerships with safety councils, police, the trucking industry and community groups, and innovative tools such as its virtual-reality Look. Listen. Live. campaign, Operation Lifesaver Canada works to save lives by educating Canadians about the hazards of rail crossings and trespassing on railway property. Canadians can follow OL Canada on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and keep up-to-date on the latest rail safety news by visiting operationlifesaver.ca.

About the Mexican Association of Railroads (AMF)

The Asociación Mexicana de Ferrocarriles, AC (AMF) was established in 2004 to represent the country's private railway companies and promote their activity. In 2008 passenger rail companies joined the AMF. Learn more at https://amf.org.mx/ and follow AMF on Twitter.

	Title	StreetAddress	City	State	ZIP/Postal Code	POBox	PO_City	PO_State	PO_Zip	Hours	Phone	Fax Number	E-Mail	MapLink	FacebookLink	TwitterLink	YouTubeLink
	KOHS	200 Mero Street, 4th Floor	Frankfort	KY	40622			KY		8:00am-4:30pm EST, M-F	(502) 564-1438	(502) 564-0903	highwaysafety@ky.gov	http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=200+mero+street+frankfort+ky&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=200+Mero+St,+Frankfort,+Franklin,+Kentucky+40601&gl=us&sqi=2&z=16&iwloc=A	https://www.facebook.com/kyhighwaysafety	https://twitter.com/kyhighwaysafety	https://www.youtube.com/user/KyHwySafety

Navigation

Highway Safety Home

Highway Safety Grants

Daily Fatality Summary

FY2021 Grant Applications

Grant & Sponsorship Opportunities

Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) 2020 - 2024

FY2018 Highway Safety Performance Plan

Safety Education Programs

Child Passenger Safety Information

Incident Management

Highway Safety Partners

Local Heroes Click It or Ticket

Media Information

Highway Safety Resources

KOHS Award Ceremony Photos

CURRENT KY ROADWAY FATALITIES FOR 2020

557

Click link below for further Daily Fatality Report Information

Daily Fatality Report - 9-29-2020.pdf

TOTAL YEAR TO DATE 2019

576

TOTAL KY ROADWAY FATALITIES FOR 2019

732

Click link below for the Year End 2019 Daily Fatality Summary Information

Daily Fatality Summary for YE2019

Stop. Trains Can't.

The Right Choice at Railroad Crossings Could Save Your Life

Don't Risk It at Railroad Crossings

Approximately every three hours, a person or vehicle is hit by a train in the United States.

Most of these deaths were caused by risky driving behaviors and poor decision- making, and could have been prevented.

Remember: Stop. Trains Can't. Avoiding a collision with a train is the responsibility of the motorist.

Trains Always Have the Right of Way

By law, trains have the right of way at all railroad crossings.
Trains cannot swerve, stop quickly, or change direction to avert collisions. A train traveling at 55 miles per hour takes a mile or more to stop.
State highway traffic safety laws require all motorists to slow, yield, or stop until the train has cleared the roadway and it is safe to cross.
It is illegal to go around a lowered crossing gate or to ignore signs or flashing lights posted at a railroad crossing.

Understand the Signage and Follow the Law

Of the 130,000 public railroad crossings in the United States, roughly 54 percent are "active" crossings that include warning devices such as gates, bells, or flashing lights to alert motorists of an approaching train. But 46 percent are "passive" crossings, where only signs and markings are present.
While warning devices do improve safety at railroad crossings, they do not prevent 100 percent of collisions. Approximately 60 percent of all collisions at railroad crossings occur where active warning devices are present, and nearly 19 percent of all crossing collisions involve a motor vehicle striking the side of a train already in the crossing.
Motorists must come to a complete stop at least 15 feet from the track if: 1) flashing red lights are activated, 2) a crossing gate is lowered, 3) a flagman signals you to stop, 4) a stop sign is posted, or 5) a train is clearly visible or you hear the whistle of a train.
Ignoring signage or attempting to go around a crossing gate that is down can have deadly consequences. It is never worth risking your life by ignoring the law or racing a train.
The best way to avoid a collision with a train is to understand and follow the warning signage, and to always stop for a train.

Use Caution at Every Railroad Crossing

When approaching a railroad crossing, slow down, and look and listen for a train on the tracks, especially at "passive" crossings.
Look carefully in both directions before crossing a railroad track—even during the day. Sixty-seven percent of railroad crossing collisions occur in clear weather conditions.
Do not rely on past experience to guess when a train is coming. Trains can come from either direction at any time.
Never race a train. It is easy to misjudge a train's speed and distance from the crossing. A train traveling at 55 miles per hour takes a mile to stop—the length of 18 football fields or more—after applying the emergency brakes.
Before entering a railroad crossing, check that there is enough room on the other side of the tracks for your vehicle to cross completely and safely. Be aware that you may need to cross multiple sets of tracks at some railroad crossings.
Never stop on the railroad tracks. Keep moving once you have entered the crossing, and to avoid stalling, never shift gears on the tracks.
If your vehicle does stall on a railroad track, quickly move away from the track and your vehicle at a 45-degree angle. Call the number on the Emergency Notification System (ENS) sign, or if the ENS sign is not visible to you, dial 911 for help.

Remember: The Right Choice at Railroad Crossings Could Save Your Life.

Stop. Trains Can't.

This information has been provided by NHTSA.

This page is maintained by Brad.Franklin@ky.gov, who may be contacted to make corrections or changes.

Central Office Contact

200 Mero St Frankfort, KY
Contact Form
(502) 564-4890
Transportation.ky.gov