With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, local and state officials are reminding Thanksgiving travelers to buckle up and put the phone down.
Caldwell County Sheriff Stan Hudson says that the upcoming holiday is one of the busiest travel times of the year and believes that if all drivers practice two simple behaviors, buckling up and putting the phone down, it will prevent deaths and injuries on Kentucky’s roadways.
According to data from the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety (KOHS) there were 1,971 crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday last year in the Commonwealth, resulting in 420 injuries and seven deaths. Of those deaths, three were not wearing a seat belt and one death resulted from a crash involving distracted driving. As of November 21st preliminary numbers indicate there have been 659 deaths in 2019, up ten compared to this time last year. KOHS data indicates that of the 659 deaths, 265 were not wearing seat belts and more than 140 were caused due to distracted driving.
Sheriff Hudson states that sometimes even the most attentive drivers are involved in a crash caused by other drivers and explains that wearing a seat belt is the best defense against serious injury, and even death.
Sheriff Hudson is encouraging all who travel this Thanksgiving holiday to buckle up, put down the phone, and don’t drink and drive. By making the commitment to safe driving habits, everyone can make a difference and save lives.
