Transportation

'Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over' campaign results in over 1,000 citations

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Wednesday, October 24th, 2012, 10:42am

'Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over' campaign results in over 1,000 citations

(KFVS) - This year’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement effort, coordinated by the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety, resulted in 1,636 citations for drunken driving.

The annual, federally funded campaign, supported by more than 200 state and local law enforcement agencies, was held Aug. 17 through Sept. 3.

According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the campaign’s main objective was to keep drunken drivers off the road. In the process, officers at 594 traffic safety checkpoints throughout the Commonwealth also made 1,485 felony arrests and 1,303 drug arrests. They recovered 1,076 stolen vehicles, apprehended 1,984 fugitives and issued 15,239 seat belt citations and 1,313 child restraint citations. They also cited 10,911 drivers for speeding, 1,520 for reckless driving and 16,825 people for having no proof of automobile insurance or driving on a suspended license.

View Comments | Post a Comment

KYTC: Remove campaign signs from state highway roadsides for fall mowing

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Monday, October 15th, 2012, 2:00pm

KYTC: Remove campaign signs from state highway roadsides for fall mowing

MCCRACKEN COUNTY, KY (KFVS) - The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is urging political candidates and their supporters to remove all campaign signs from state highway roadsides while crews and contractors prepare to start their fall mowing cycle.

According to KYTC, all campaign signs and advertising signs will be removed from state rights of way ahead of mowing crews. Yard signs illegally placed along state highways create a safety hazard for the public and mowing crews. They also cost taxpayers in the time and effort required for highway personnel to remove them.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Murray police respond to crash at 3rd and Poplar Streets

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Wednesday, September 26th, 2012, 11:24am

Murray police respond to crash at 3rd and Poplar Streets

CALLOWAY COUNTY, KY (KFVS) - The Murray Police Department were called to a crash at 3rd and Poplar on Tuesday, September 25.

According to police, a vehicle being driven by Kathleen Henderson, 20, of Calvert City was traveling south on 3rd and failed to yield the right of way to a vehicle being driven by Andrew Rachoy, 68 of Murray, which was traveling west on Poplar.

Police say Rachoy was taken by ambulance to the hospital.

View Comments | Post a Comment

KYTC to remove campaign signs from highway rights of way for safety reasons

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Monday, September 24th, 2012, 3:30pm

KYTC to remove campaign signs from highway rights of way for safety reasons

(KFVS) - The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says campaign and other temporary advertising signage illegally placed on state highway rights of way will be removed to maintain safety.

According to KYTC officials, signs show up along state highways in greater numbers in the month prior to an election.

“Political signs and other advertising signs can limit sight-distance, especially near intersections, blocking the view of drivers attempting to spot oncoming traffic," said Jim LeFevre, chief district engineer for KYTC District 1, based in Paducah. "The signs also create a safety hazard for highway mowing crews."

KYTC says wire supports from political signs are especially hazardous when they are hit by mowers and become airborne. Removal also costs Kentucky taxpayers when highway personnel spend time picking up signs ahead of mowing crews.

View Comments | Post a Comment

KSP release results of Operation B.L.U.E. Lights

Submitted by Christy Hendricks

Saturday, September 8th, 2012, 3:17pm

KSP release results of Operation B.L.U.E. Lights

(KFVS) - Kentucky State Police released results of Operation B.L.U.E. Lights, its summer enforcement campaign.

Operation B.L.U.E. Lights began June 1 and concluded Labor Day weekend.

The campaign was designed to bring attention to unsafe driving behaviors in an effort to reduce traffic deaths on Kentucky roadways.

KSP held 1,640 safety checkpoints across the state that produced 2,072 DUI arrests, 1,462 drug arrests and the apprehension of 41 fugitives. There were 8,932 seat belt citations written and 933 child seat violations during this time period.

B.L.U.E. is an acronym designed to remind drivers to focus on these driving-related attributes:

B = Basic traveling safety and vehicle maintenance

L = Lower speed in work zone areas

U = Undivided attention on the road and look for motorcycles

E = Enforcement of speed, DUI and occupant protection

View Comments | Post a Comment

Teens check in to KSP driving academy

Submitted by James Long, Digital Content Producer

Thursday, September 6th, 2012, 7:30pm

CALLOWAY COUNTY, KY (KFVS) - Thirty high school students from twenty-one schools throughout the state checked into the Kentucky State Police Academy in Frankfort on Thursday for the annual ‘Drive To Stay Alive’ program.

'Drive To Stay Alive' (D2SA) is a four-day defensive driving academy for teens that combine classroom studies and road course tests in an effort to reduce teen deaths on Kentucky roadways.

In 2011, officials say there were 21,350 teen driving collisions resulting in 4,152 injuries and 63 deaths in Kentucky.

The "Drive To Stay Alive" program is designed to bring awareness to teen driving behavior explains Sgt.

Left to right: Trent Arnold, of Central City (Muhlenberg Co. High School); Douglas Newman, of McDowell (South Floyd High School); Sarah Bivins, of New Concord (Calloway Co. High School); Rebecca Orberson, of Campbellsville (Taylor Co. High School); Rebecca Sawyer, of Versailles (Woodford Co. High School); Marci Beason, of Frankfort (Franklin Co. High School); Ryan Simpson, of Frankfort (Western Hills High School) and Travis London, of Glasgow (Barren Co. High School). (Source: KSP)

View Comments | Post a Comment

KSP increasing patrols over Labor Day weekend

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Friday, August 31st, 2012, 2:31pm

KSP increasing patrols over Labor Day weekend

(KFVS) - The Kentucky State Police will be stepping up patrols to ensure the safety of the motoring public.

According to KSP, those driving should expect to see more troopers and officers on the roads as well as encountering various roadway safety checkpoints. They say an enhanced amount of safety road checks will be conducted throughout the weekend.

KSP utilizes traffic safety checkpoints to promote safety for drivers and to provide a deterrent for those who violate laws contained in the Kentucky Revised Statutes.

Police say the intent of a traffic safety checkpoint is to provide for a high visibility, public safety service, focusing on vehicular equipment deficiencies, confirming appropriate registration/insurance of vehicles and the valid licensing of drivers. Other violations of law and/or other public safety issues that arise will be addressed.

View Comments | Post a Comment