Published: January 09, 2007 04:27 pm         

Fatals down in Laurel County, statewide

Those wearing seatbelts were less likely to be killed

Traffic deaths dropped in Kentucky last year from 2005 by 8 percent and in Laurel County, the percentage was even greater with 37 percent, according to state statistics.

In 2005 there were 27 traffic fatalities in Laurel County, as compared to 17 in 2006.

Of those 27, there were 21 killed in car accidents. Ten were wearing seatbelts and 11 were not. Six other accidents were motorcycle fatalities, 2 were wearing helmets and 6 were not wearing one.

Of those 17 fatals in 2006, 16 were killed in car accidents. Six were wearing seatbelts and 10 were not. One motorcyclist who was wearing a helmet was also killed.

Across the state, 907 people died on Kentucky roadways in 2006, 78 fewer than in 2005.

Commercial traffic fatalities have been coming down also for the past three years, said Greg Howard, Commissioner of Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement.

“It’s gone down from 124 to 110 to 92 this past year,” Howard said. “We’ve had a decrease in C and V fatalities as well. We’re very excited about it. We concentrate our efforts on the highway. We’re shooting for no fatalities. We’ve got a lot to go, but that’s what law enforcement would like to see.”

Seatbelt awareness played a part in the decrease of fatalities, Howard noted.

“The public relations dealing with the upcoming seatbelt law and what the governor’s highway safety program has done, just the exposure of seatbelts has made a difference,” Howard continued. “The seatbelt law will definitely save lives. I don’t think there is any doubt.”

This year will be the first full year of enforcing Kentucky’s primary seatbelt law, which went into effect July 12. The law allows police to pull over motorists solely for not buckling up. Previously, they could be cited for not wearing seatbelts only if they were stopped for another reason.

After the new law went into effect, there was a 6-month grace period in which no actual citations for violations of the law were issued. Citations were issued starting Jan. 1, 2007.

Of the 766 people who died in car wrecks in Kentucky in 2006, 494 were not wearing seatbelts, according to the statistics.