There were 89 more highway fatalities in Kentucky last year compared to 2014, according to the official 2015 highway fatality count released Monday by the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety and Kentucky State Police.
State officials report there were 761 fatalities in the Commonwealth last year. Of the 761 fatalities in 2015, the release indicates 51 percent were not buckled up and 18.7 percent involved alcohol. More than 36 percent involved speeding or aggressive drivers, and state officials say motorcyclists accounted for 80 fatalities, with 65 percent not wearing helmets.
According to officials, mild winter weather and lower gas prices during the last quarter of the year led to increased traveling on roadways across the Commonwealth and are considered to be contributing factors in the fatality increase.
So far in 2016, preliminary numbers indicate there have been 151 roadway fatalities – down from 173 compared to the same time period last year.