1.
Kentucky’s Most
Dangerous Roads
Where Crashes Occur on Kentucky Roadways

2.
Road Safety in Kentucky
Every day, Kentuckians take to the road to reach our destinations. From city roads to
interstates to parkways, we are constantly on the move, interacting with other motorists and
assuming that we will get to our destination without incident. Yet, for many Kentuckians, our
drive will end in a crash, resulting in a serious injury or fatality. In order to be more informed
drivers and raise awareness of crashes on our roads, let’s take a look at where and how
these crashes occur in Kentucky.

3.
Statewide Crash Statistics
• In 2015, the last year for which statistics are available, there were 761 people killed
on Kentucky roads.
• There were 35,542 injuries on Kentucky roads in 2015.
• Since 2001, fatality rates on our state’s roads have exceeded national rates.
• 25.4% of reported collisions occurred at an intersection.

4.
Most Deadly Types of Crashes in Kentucky
Of all fatal crashes in Kentucky in 2015:
• 40.3% were collisions with other moving vehicles.
• 36.3% were collisions with fixed objects.
• 9.8% involved collisions with pedestrians.
• 5.65% involved overturned vehicles.
• 54.6% occurred in the daylight; 37.8% occurred after dark.

5.
The Cost to Kentuckians
It is difficult to put a true figure on the costs that traffic collisions place on Kentuckians, but a few
estimates given by different agencies give us a clearer picture just how great the toll really is:
• The CDC says that vehicle accidents in Kentucky cost our state $798 million.
• The Kentucky State Police estimate that the total economic cost of Kentucky traffic collisions is over $2.5
billion.
• The KSP puts the comprehensive cost (factoring in loss in quality of life to victims) at $17.7 billion.

6.
Fatalities and Injuries on Kentucky Interstates
Interstate vehicle crashes can be some of the deadliest. On Kentucky interstates in 2015, there were 72
fatalities and 3,216 injuries. Here are Kentucky’s interstates listed in the order of fatalities:
• I-264 - 4 Fatalities; 405 Injuries
• I-24 - 4 Fatalities; 168 Injuries
• I-265 - 3 Fatalities; 150 Injuries
• I-471 - 0 Fatalities; 60 Injuries
• I-75 - 21 Fatalities; 769 Injuries
• I-64 - 15 Fatalities; 547 Injuries
• I-65 - 13 Fatalities; 661 Injuries
• I-71 - 7 Fatalities; 269 Injuries
• I-275 - 5 Fatalities; 187 Injuries

7.
Fatalities and Injuries on Kentucky Parkways
Though parkways have fewer vehicle accidents than many other types of roads, they still play
host to several fatalities and injuries. In 2015:
• Julian Carroll Parkway - 4 Fatalities; 56 Injuries
• Wendell Ford Parkway/I-69 - 4 Fatalities; 65
Injuries
• Bert Combs Mountain Parkway - 3 Fatalities; 78
Injuries
• Louie Nunn Parkway - 2 Fatalities; 38 Injuries
• Audubon Parkway - 0 Fatalities; 9 Injuries
• Hal Rodgers Parkway - 7 Fatalities; 57 Injuries
• Martha L. Collins Parkway - 4 Fatalities; 72
Injuries
• Edward Breathitt Parkway - 4 Fatalities; 86
Injuries
• William Natcher Parkway - 4 Fatalities; 54
Injuries

8.
A Closer Look at Kentucky’s Dangerous Roads
There are a few things to keep in mind when considering which roads are the most dangerous to drivers,
some of which are more obvious than others.
• The busiest roads are also the most dangerous. Nearly a quarter of all collisions occur at intersections.
• The majority of vehicle collisions (64%) and crashes that result in injury (61%) occur on urban roads.
• Yet, more fatal crashes actually occur on rural roads (54%) than on urban roads (46%).
• When looking at all collisions, state numbered routes account for 34% of collisions and 46% of fatal
collisions.
• Only 5% of collisions resulting in death occur on city streets, even though city streets account for 23% of all
collisions in the state.
• Hit-and-run collisions occur most frequently on city streets (4,977 in 2015), state routes (3,104) and U.S.
routes (2,320).

9.
Top 5 Contributing Factors of Kentucky Traffic Crashes
• Vehicle Not Under Control - 36.31% of fatal collisions
• Driver Inattention - 22.19% of fatal collisions
• Alcohol Involvement - 15.85% of fatal collisions
• Failure to Yield Right of Way - 10.95% of fatal collisions
• Exceeded Speed Limit - 10.37% of fatal collisions

10.
Common Injuries in Vehicle Crashes
Vehicle accident injuries can include some of the most serious of all injury
types. Here are just a few examples of the most catastrophic of these
injuries:
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Neck/Back/Spinal Cord Injuries
• Organ Damage
• Multiple Fractures
• Compound Fractures

11.
When Negligence Causes a Traffic Fatality
When a driver’s negligence causes another person’s death,
surviving family members face an incredible loss. In addition to
the pain and suffering caused by the loss of a loved one,
survivors must face medical bills, funeral costs, loss of income
and other end-of-life costs. In the wake of these tragic incidents,
surviving family members can pursue what is known as a
wrongful death claim to recover compensation for the losses they
have suffered.

12.
If You Need Help
If you or a loved one has been the victim of
another driver’s negligence, Julie Butcher can
help. She has helped many clients seek
compensation for the damages they have
suffered.
Contact Julie today by calling 1.866.77.JULIE
or by visiting her website to learn more.

13.
Client Testimonials
“It was over a holiday weekend when the wreck happened. I didn’t
know it then, but I was about to meet a Guardian Angel. Julie is a
very good lawyer – very good – but it’s not just a job to her.
Sometimes you meet a lawyer and it’s their job but Julie showed
she cared about me. She was interested in me and that meant a
lot. Julie is an all-around good person. She provided me with very
good advice and got everything she could get for me and then
some. And, to me, the way she handled my case is how she
would handle anyone else’s case – she’s your guardian angel.
“If I had to do it all over again and call her, I’d jump all over it – I’d
call her in a heartbeat!”
– Mary Lou, Winchester KY

14.
Client Testimonials (Continued)
“Ms. Butcher, the timely and efficient way that you and your
associates handled my accident case was greatly appreciated. I
have dealt with other attorneys before so I know firsthand that the
clients’ best interest is not always a top priority as it was in your
office.
“Your help enabled me to get my bills paid and get back on my
feet. Without your help the insurance company would never have
done the right thing and taken care of me. For all your help, I am
extremely grateful. Again, thank you so much.”
– Karen H. from Danville