Kentucky State Police and local law enforcement will be beefing up patrols over the Thanksgiving Holiday during what is consider historically as being one of the busiest and deadliest holidays of the year. With low gas prices and more travelers taking to the roads, chances are greater of encountering persons exhibiting unsafe driving behaviors. In an effort to save lives and reduce injury-related crashes during the holiday season, the Kentucky State Police is implementing Operation R.A.I.D., or Remove Aggressive, Impaired, Distracted Drivers from Kentucky’s Roadways.
The official Thanksgiving Holiday begins at 6:00 this evening and ends Sunday, November 29th at Midnight. Statewide, during the 2014 Thanksgiving Holiday period, KSP reports there were five fatal collisions that resulted in six fatalities on roads across the Commonwealth.
KSP troopers and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officers will concentrate their holiday enforcement efforts on high traffic areas such as interstates and parkways, along with high crash locations. KSP says they will be observing for individuals exhibiting unsafe driving behaviors such as speeding, reckless driving and impaired driving.
During the enforcement period, authorities will also be aggressively targeting those people who choose not to wear seatbelts or use child safety restraints.
In addition, motorists around the Post 2 District in Madisonville and Post 16 District in Henderson can expect to see traffic safety checkpoints at pre-approved locations in order to promote safety for motorists and to provide a deterrent for those who violate laws. The traffic safety checkpoints is also to provide a highly visible, public safety service focusing on vehicular equipment deficiencies, confirming appropriate registration and insurance of vehicles, and the valid licensing of drivers as well as other public safety issues that may arise and needs to be addressed.
Citizens can contribute to highway safety by reporting erratic drivers to KSP by calling toll-free 1-800-222-5555.
(Image Source: Kentucky State Police)