Roadside safety tips It’s hard to know what situation to prepare for since we don’t know when an accident is going to happen. That’s why it’s important to know basic roadside safety techniques and tips. Here are a few to know: If an emergency occurs while you’re driving, your safety should always come first. Try … Continued
Apparently, animals with poison, fangs or claws are not the deadliest creatures we’ll encounter here in Kentucky. It seems like one of the most deadly animals in Kentucky is the deer. Now, when we say deadly, we mean an animal that has caused the most crashes, injuries and deaths to drivers on Kentucky roads. Related: … Continued
Following the news about a state trooper that was hit alongside Interstate 65 in Bullitt County in September 2013, the Kentucky Move Over Law is receiving public attention. Trooper Sam Shacklette suffered from non-life threatening injuries and was taken to the University of Louisville Hospital. The state police reported that Shacklette was stable, although several … Continued
Don’t flee the scene According to the Courier-Journal, a Louisville Metro Police officer was arrested and charged with driving under the influence and leaving the scene of the accident. The police officer, James Hemmer, had been in service since February 1999. He is now on administrative reassignment, and his police powers were suspended. What to … Continued
When you think of dangerous animals, you may think of bears, sharks and snakes. However, did you know that deer can be dangerous as well? According to data released by State Farm, Kentucky ranks 13th out of 50 states for the most number of deer crashes. The national average of hitting a deer is one … Continued
Driving requires decision making skills and good reflexes. While this isn’t much of a problem while we’re young, it could be as we get older. This is especially true if we develop memory problems like Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s causes short-term memory problems that even familiar surroundings may suddenly seem strange. This behavior is dangerous for … Continued
Wet roads can be unforgiving. The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration says that the average number of vehicle crashes each year is over 5,870,000. Around 23%, or nearly 1,312,000, of those incidents were weather-related. A weather-related accident is any accident that occurs in adverse weather or on slick pavement. An average of 6,250 … Continued
When you’re on the road, it’s easy to see that vehicles outnumber motorcycles. Also, since motorcycles are smaller than cars, they are harder to see, especially when they are in a vehicle’s blind spot. All this boils down to motorcycle safety, and both vehicles and motorcycles have their roles to play to keep each other … Continued
The law KRS 189.125 refers to seat belt requirements, child restraint systems and child booster seats. The law states that “a person shall not operate a motor vehicle manufactured after 1981 on the public roadways of the state unless the driver and all passengers are wearing a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt.” However, this … Continued
Vehicle crashes remain as the leading cause of death for American teens. In Kentucky, the Kentucky State Police (KSP) sponsor a “Drive to Stay Alive” program every year to help reduce teenage driving deaths in the state. This program includes a workshop and hands-on learning activities that help teenage drivers learn the most common factors … Continued
Stay calm if you see an approach ambulance Authorities are already concerned about drivers being uncertain of what to do when there’s an emergency vehicle around. When drivers get confused, chances are they may panic, too. Once panic has taken over, it will be even more difficult for emergency vehicles to deal with the situation. … Continued
There have been hundreds of lives lost due to wrong-way driving. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) stated that wrong-way driving doesn’t occur frequently, and it accounts for about 3% of accidents on high-speed highways. However, wrong-way accidents have a higher chance of being fatal or causing serious injuries. According to NTSB, many drivers involved … Continued
In February 2013, two men from Meade County entered a plea of guilty to charges of arson and insurance fraud. According to the report, Kentucky State Police said Joseph Ross pled to 10 years and Joshua Fuqua pled to seven years for their involvement in a staged accident to collect money from the insurance policy. … Continued
When you are driving down the street and you see a cop, I don’t know about you, but I tense up. I check everything to make sure I am doing it correctly. I follow every law that comes to mind. First, I look down to make sure I am not speeding. I think that is … Continued
With classes back in session, motorists and pedestrians should both be extra cautious when navigating the roads. Kentucky has over 1,200 schools. More than 648,000 kids ride buses to get to and from school. Director of the Campbell County Office of Emergency Management, William R. Turner said these students rely on us to know and … Continued
Kentucky motorists expect busy roads as the Ohio River Bridges project begins. This project involves building a new I-65 bridge over the Ohio River and is one of the largest public work projects, not just in Kentucky, but in the country. Kentucky and Indiana are working together on this construction giant. Related: How to Help … Continued
Motorcycle Awareness Month is not only for motorcyclists, but also for drivers of all other vehicles. Bill Bell, Director of the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety (KOHS), said that safety is a mutual responsibility for motorists and motorcyclists alike. It takes two to tango. That’s why the month of May is about sharing the road … Continued
According to Chrysler engineer Marilyn Vala, people 65 and over are predicted to be four times more likely to buy a new vehicle than those under 25. Auto engineers are trying to design their car models to fit the needs of older drivers. They want the cars to be easier to use, but still look … Continued
Temperatures are rising, ice is melting and flowers are blooming. No doubt about it, spring is here in Kentucky. After months of braving wintery roads, now we can enjoy our drives because of the nicer weather. However, should we let our guard down? The answer is no. Even though spring is here, we can’t let … Continued
An 11-month-old boy died after a crash on St. Andrews Church Road near Palatka Road on April 2, 2014. Police said a woman driving a gold Mazda, with two children inside, crossed the center line and struck a blue Honda. One of the children, who was not identified, was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital where … Continued
Technology makes our lives easier. That is, if they are in good working condition. If not, they become very inconvenient. This also applies to traffic signals. Related: Move Over, Kentucky Traffic lights not sensing bikes In Kentucky, many traffic signals are equipped with sensors, but there are some signals that are still on timers. These sensor-triggered … Continued
A 30-year-old man was trying to help stranded motorists was he was hit and killed by another driver passing the wreck. Jeffrey Campbell asked his wife, Jamie, to pull over when they saw a wreck on Sunday, February 9, 2014 in Madison County. Campbell told his wife that he would call 9-1-1 and would be … Continued
Should elderly people be prohibited from driving? This question has been asked recently because an 88-year-old woman died after crashing her car on the east side of Detroit. The car crashed into a fence. The woman was found more than eight hours later, on the ground and on the outside of her car. Related: Who … Continued
Icy road accident A woman in her 30’s died following a fatal crash involving a van in the industrial area of Watterson Park on Thursday, January 9, 2014. According to Louisville Metro Police, she was driving westbound in a Chevy van around 6:30 a.m. when the vehicle hit a patch of ice and slid off … Continued
One common mistake that Kentucky drivers make is merging onto roads and highways incorrectly. Too many times I have witnessed motorists trying to merge on a congested road and suddenly making a stop, which can also be dangerous. Merging lanes may sound simple, but a single wrong move can cause accidents. Related: The Dangers Of … Continued
