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Department of Highways, District 6
Drive Smart Enforcement Blitz Begins July 18-25
US 25 Drive Smart Enforcement Blitz Begins
MONDAY
July 18-July 25
Covington, Kentucky - (July 15, 2005)—The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, in conjunction with the Northern Kentucky Area Development District, Kentucky State Police, Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement and local law enforcement, is coordinating an Operation Drive Smart Enforcement Blitz along the US 25 Corridor in Grant, Boone and Kenton Counties to reduce vehicle crashes, fatalities and injuries. The US 25 Corridor is one of 13 corridors identified for special emphasis in collision reduction through a data-driven process by the Governor’s Executive Committee on Highway Safety.
Drive Smart visual speed radar units have been placed along the corridor in each county. These portable units are intended to remind motorists to be aware of their speed and to comply with the posted speed limit. Variable Message Boards and orange diamond signs will be placed tomorrow along the corridor stating that drivers are in a “target enforcement area”.
The Enforcement Blitz is planned for the week of July 18-25. This operation will focus on reducing the contributing factors involved in vehicle crashes such as speeding, improper passing, aggressive and reckless driving, and other traffic violations. Violations relating to non-use of safety belts, children not in safety seats and expired or no liability insurance, as well as equipment violations will be strictly enforced.
Over the past three years (2002-2004) there have been 2,865 collisions, 883 injuries and 8 fatalities on the 47 mile stretch of US 25 that includes the focused corridor of Grant, Boone and Kenton. As of June 1, 2005 there have been three fatalities. To date there have been 474 fatalities on Kentucky roadways. Seatbelts were not worn in over half of those fatalities. A study done in 2004 found out that the seatbelt usage rates for the counties along the US 25 corridor were as follows:
Boone: 61.8%
Grant: 71.8%
Kenton: 75.4%
Public Service Announcements have been developed with enforcement and other agencies encouraging the Commonwealth to buckle-up, comply with all traffic laws and Drive Smart Kentucky!
TOGETHER WE CAN SAVE LIVES BY MAKING KENTUCKY’S ROADS A SAFER WAY TO TRAVEL!
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