Kentucky recorded more than 57,000 crashes last year – and more than 200 fatalities – attributed to driver distraction and inattention.
The law bans texting for drivers of all ages while the vehicle is in motion. For drivers over 18, it allows the use of global positioning (GPS) devices and reading, selecting or entering a telephone number or name for the purpose of making a phone call. Texting is allowed only to report illegal activity or to request medical or emergency aid. The measure also bans all cell phone use for drivers under age 18.
As of today, Kentucky’s highway death toll was 45 fatalities below the same date a year ago. According to Chuck Geveden, director of Kentucky Office of Highway Safety, the texting ban is aimed at further reducing fatalities.
“Even though our total number of fatalities for 2009 was less than 2008, those killed in crashes resulting in distraction, inattention and cell phone use increased,” Geveden said. “This legislation is sure to save lives, prevent injuries and cut down on crashes across Kentucky.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving distracted drivers, and more than a half million were injured. Inexperienced drivers under 20 years old have the highest proportion of fatal crashes attributed to distracted driving.
The use of a global positioning system is allowed in vehicles, but manually entering information must be completed while the vehicle is stopped. Emergency and public safety vehicles are exempt when the use of a personal communication device is essential to the operator’s official duties.
In December 2009, Gov. Steve Beshear launched his Eyes on the Road effort --an executive order prohibiting text messaging by state employees who are driving government-owned vehicles. In April 2010, Gov. Steve Beshear signed the law banning texting for all drivers and cell phone use for drivers under 18.
Law enforcement officers will issue warnings until Jan. 1, 2011. On or after Jan. 1, violators will be liable for fines of $25 on a first offense and $50 on each subsequent offense.
