Overview

From 2000-2004, lane departure crashes accounted for more than 2,500 deaths and 84,000 injuries. This is approximately 56% of all fatalities and 34% of all injuries occurring on Kentucky highways. The majority of these crashes occur on low traffic volume two lane roads, even though rural roads make up only 14% of Kentucky’s traffic. Different types of crashes are grouped under lane departure - head-on, sideswipe, run-off-the-road and fixed object crashes. All tend to be severe and result most often in serious injury, or death.

Emphasis Area Goal

To substantially reduce statewide lane departure fatalities and injuries in a cost-effective manner that the vast majority of the state population will support

Strategies

• Support primary seatbelt legislation.
• Develop data-driven low-cost safety improvement program.
• Create safety focus teams for resurfacing projects.
• Incorporate proven strategies into Programs and Policies.
• Develop directed patrol program, targeting land departure high crash locations and more emphasis on two-lane roads.
• Encourage applications for grants through Governor’s Highway Safety Office targeting LD safety issues.
• Encourage law enforcement participation in Highway Safety Audit Teams to identify and address LD issues.
• Continue support for driver education programs.
• Increase number of Child Safety Seat Technicians.
• Increase communications with local media to promote lane departure issues, programs, and results.

Performance Measures

Conduct before/after analysis for each project to

• Estimate the collision reduction factors
• Estimate benefit/cost ratio