Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

Office of Public Affairs

For Immediate Release
Feb. 26, 2008

Media contact: Chuck Wolfe
Chuck.Wolfe@ky.gov
David Devers
David.Devers@ky.gov
502-564-3419

Kentucky gets high marks on highway safety ‘report card’
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety grades states based on enactment of model laws

FRANKFORT, Ky. – For the second consecutive year, Kentucky has earned a prestigious designation from the national highway safety advocacy group Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. The organization identified Kentucky as one of 17 “green” states in its fifth annual highway safety report. The green designation is reserved for states that have enacted at least 11 of the Advocates’ 15 model laws for curbing highway fatalities.

“We are pleased to have received this recognition,” said Gov. Steve Beshear. “This distinction raises awareness among Kentuckians and the nation that we are very serious about saving lives on the commonwealth’s roadways. We are determined to strengthen our highway safety initiatives across the board.”

Green is the highest of three ratings the Advocates assign to reflect a state’s adoption of optimal safety laws. A yellow rating signals a need for improvement. A red rating means a state is seriously lacking in safety-related legislation.

A primary-enforcement seat belt law is essential to winning a green rating. Kentucky enacted primary seat belt legislation in 2006. Highway fatalities in Kentucky declined in both 2006 and 2007.

“We already have a very good foundation of effective highway safety laws,” said Transportation Secretary Joe Prather. “From that foundation we intend to keep working toward the goal of improving on Kentucky’s downward trend in highway fatalities and serious injuries.”

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, based in Washington, D.C., is a coalition of insurance, consumer, health, safety and law enforcement organizations that work together to advance state and national highway and safety policies. The complete “2008 Roadmap to State Highway Safety Laws” report can be found at: www.saferoads.org.

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