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Our Mission "To reduce Kentucky's highway fatalities and injuries."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to recent studies, driver inattention is the leading factor in most crashes and near-crashes.  Based on these findings nearly 80 % of all crashes and 65 % of near-crashes involved some form of driver inattention within 3 seconds before the event.  Primary causes of driver inattention are distracting activities, such as adjusting the radio, talking to passengers, eating and drinking, talking on cell phone and sending text messages.

 

In Kentucky during 2009, there were more than 57,000 collisions where driver distraction was noted as a factor.  These crashes resulted in more than 16,000 injuries and 217 fatalities. 

 

The Kentucky Office of Highway saftery recently unveiled our new D2 (Distracted Driving) Simulator as our newest educational tool to address the issues and dangers of distracted driving.

 

For more information on the D2 (Distracted Driving) Simulator, please click here - D2 (Distracted Driving) Simulator Info
 
Tips for Managing Distractions
 
• Keep 100% of your attention on driving at all times.
• Use defensive driving techniques − be aware of what others around you are doing and expect the unexpected.
• Don’t use a cell phone or any other electronic device while driving
• Build time into your trip schedule to stop for food, rest breaks and making necessary phone calls or other business.
• Adjust your seat, mirrors and climate controls before putting the car in gear.
• Secure cargo that may move around while the vehicle is in motion. Don’t attempt to retrieve items that fall to the floor.
• Have items needed within easy reach.
• Pull over to eat or drink. It takes only a few minutes.
• Practice defensive driving and give yourself time to react. Keep a two second cushion between you and the car in front of you (one car lenght for every 10 mph) − four seconds if the weather is bad.
• Don’t speed − it gives you less time to react and increases the severity of an accident.
• Always wear your seat belt and drive sober and drug-free.
 
The goal of the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety is simple: To save more lives by demonstrating the issues and effects distractions have on our driving – working together we all help make the difference.

 

Click here for a Distracted Driving Message from the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety.