Kentucky Program Aims to Reduce Highway Deaths

An initiative of Gov. Steve Beshear’s is aimed at reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries due to highway accidents in Kentucky.

Beshear said that the effort, called Toward Zero Deaths, is part of a plan to increase highway safety throughout the state.

Preliminary numbers show that 792 people died in crashes statewide in 2009. Although the number of deaths has declined over the last five years, Beshear says the number is still too high.

The Toward Zero Deaths effort will focus on engineering, education, enforcement and emergency response.

Kentucky State Police will combine efforts with local agencies for a strong enforcement presence throughout the state.