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Home > Post > Post 7 > Post 7 News Release > 2007 News Releases > News Release

>KSP "Tackle Seat" Belt, Speed Violators and Underage Drinking with Football Themed Enforcement Campaign

Date of News Release: 09/21/2007

(RICHMOND, KY) - Friday nights have become synonymous with high school football, stadium lights, marching bands and zealous fans. With that comes increased traffic and post-game activities. The fact is last year, the highest number of collisions occurred in September and October-specifically on Fridays during the evening hours. For this reason, the Kentucky State Police unveiled a new football themed enforcement campaign that will 'tackle' seat belt and speed violations and will also focus on underage drinking.

The statewide enforcement campaign is called "Friday Night Blue Lights" and the kick off event for this program was held at Central Hardin High School on August 24th. Activities for the evening included a safety both provided by the KSP Highway Safety Branch that included free promotional items with safety messaging and safe driving guides.

Troopers of the Kentucky State Police Post 7, Richmond, will increase patrols before and after football games and hold traffic safety checkpoints. Our goal for this campaign is to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities on Kentucky roadways.

On Friday, September 21st, the Kentucky State Police Honor Guard will be presenting the Colors at the Madison Central High-vs. - George Rogers Clark football game in Richmond. Troopers and members of the Kentucky State Police Highway Safety Branch will also be in attendance, where they will answer questions concerning highway safety and pass out educational brochures. Promotional items will also be available for those in attendance.

The Kentucky State Police would like to remind drivers and especially young drivers of the following facts.

Buckle Up

• Last year, there were 913 fatalities on Kentucky roadways.
• 65% of those fatalities were not wearing a seat belt.
• Kentucky has the third lowest rate of seat belt usage among all states.
• 62% of teenage passenger vehicle occupants killed in fatal collisions were not wearing a seat belt.
• Last year, Kentucky had the 10th highest teenage fatality rate in the nation.

Watch Your Speed

• Exceeding the posted speed limit or driving too fast for conditions is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crashes.
• Speed reduces a driver's ability to steer safely around curves or objects in the roadway.
• Motorists under the age of 25 receive the highest number of speeding violations than any other age group.

Drive Sober

• Speeding and alcohol use are clearly a deadly combination. Nationally, last year, 40% of drivers under the age of 21 who were involved in fatal crashes also had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher.
• Driving Under The Influence is one of Kentucky's most-often committed and deadliest crimes.
• Driving with a BAC of .08 or higher is illegal in Kentucky. If you are under the age of 21, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of .02 or greater.
• According to preliminary data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2006, 17,941 people were killed in alcohol related crashes- an average of one every half-hour.
• Last year in Kentucky, there were 28,785 driving under the influence (DUI) arrests.
• You are 22 times more likely to be involved in a crash if your BAC is .15 or higher.

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