Preliminary state figures indicate that nearly 800 people died in automobile crashes in Kentucky last year, and the state is taking steps to reduce those numbers in the future.
“Toward Zero Deaths” is the handle of a new plan being developed by Gov. Steve Beshear’s Executive Committee on Highway Safety.
The governor directed the committee to update and implement the state’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan to focus on the “four E’s” of highway safety: engineering, education, enforcement and emergency response.
Multiple agencies, including law enforcement, emergency responders, engineers and highway safety officials will be involved, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials said.
“I’m pleased that our highway fatalities have decreased for five consecutive years,” Beshear said. “However, there is still work to be done. Even one fatality is too many.
“This plan ensures that everybody is at the table to make sure we are doing everything we can to reduce these serious crashes,” he added. “If just one life is saved through this effort, it will have been worth it.”
State police and local agencies will combine efforts to provide a strong enforcement presence.
“A project of this magnitude provides a central focus and clear vision for all safety partners that will directly impact the number of fatal crashes in Kentucky,” Kentucky State Police Commissioner Rodney Brewer said.
“Strategic enforcement is essential in this multi-tiered approach to alter adverse driving behavior among motorists. Our agency is dedicated to reducing preventable deaths by enhancing highway safety through unique opportunities such as this.”
Executives with the Kentucky Sheriff’s Association and the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services are also endorsing the plan, as are executives with the state transportation cabinet.
“I am confident that by working together to identify key safety needs in these four areas, Kentucky can move ‘Toward Zero Deaths,’” said acting Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock, who is chair of the committee and the governor’s designated representative for highway safety.
