Traffic deaths up in Kentucky

January 1, 2015

36Pab,

PADUCAH, Ky. (AP) — The number of traffic fatalities in Kentucky in 2014 surpassed those in 2013 before the year came to an end.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet told media that there had been 644 traffic-related deaths as of Dec. 29. That’s compared to 635 deaths in the same time frame in 2013.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet spokesman Keith Todd said several things likely factored into the increase including the lack of seat belt usage by more than half of those killed and the lower price of gasoline.

Todd says when gas is cheaper, more people are out driving longer distances creating a greater chance of crashes.

He said there also seems to be an increase in the number of distracted drivers.