Traffic Fatalities Decreasing in Kentucky

Kentucky is on track for its lowest number of traffic fatalities in decades.

The Courier-Journal reports fewer than 600 fatal crashes had been reported by mid-December. The last time the number was that low was in the 1940s.

The newspaper reports a stricter seat belt law that went into effect in 2006 is credited with playing a major role in the decrease. That year, there were more than 900 fatal wrecks in the state.

Bill Bell, executive director of the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety, says the rate of decline in Kentucky is still behind the national rate of decline, but “we’re catching up.”