EASTERN KY DRIVING DANGERS
Why Parents in Appalachia Have
Reason to Worry
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We Spend
Our Lives
Protecting
Children…
And then they get their driver’s license and a
whole new world of dangers becomes more real.
Unfortunately, there are specific hazards in
Eastern Kentucky that place teenagers at
higher risk.
As a parent, you can help share this
information with other parents and educate
the youth in Pike County and Eastern KY.

Understanding
the Scope of
the Problem
It’s a Really Big Deal…
Vehicle Accidents are the leading cause of
death for 15-20 year olds in Kentucky,
according to the Dept of Transportation

Eastern Kentucky Driving Dangers: Why Parents in Appalachia Have Reason to Worry
Eastern KY Roadway Hazards
• More Accident Fatalities occur on Kentucky’s Rural
Roads than Urban Streets.[source]
• More accidents occur on County roads and State
routes than on Interstates, City Streets and US
Routes combined.
• County roads are poorly maintained due to low tax
revenues. Pike County has historically had one of
the highest tax delinquency rates in Kentucky. [source]

Vehicle
Accidents: The
Leading Cause
of Death for 15-
20 Year Olds.
Then There’s This…
Not only are you worried about your child’s
driving capabilities and the road conditions in
Eastern KY, but then you’ve got to worry about
Other Vehicles & Drivers.

Eastern Kentucky Driving Dangers: Why Parents in Appalachia Have Reason to Worry
Other Vehicles in Eastern KY
• According to a KY Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officer tractor
trailer traffic is up in Kentucky. This could partially explain the 43%
increase in semi-truck accidents in recent years. [source]
• Eastern KY has a unique volume of other heavy haulers including
coal trucks. Traffic fatality rates are twice as high on coal-hauling
roads. [source]
• Motorcyclists come from near and far to enjoy our mountains – but
they can be difficult to see, particularly for inexperienced drivers.
This combo places both driver and biker at risk.
- 40% of all motorcycle accidents in Kentucky were caused by the
other driver turning into the path of the motorcyclist. [source]

Eastern Kentucky Driving Dangers: Why Parents in Appalachia Have Reason to Worry
Other Drivers in Eastern KY
• Distracted Drivers: According to KY State Police
driver inattention was the NUMBER 1 human factor
in car accidents.
http://www.billyjohnsonlaw.com/vehicle-
accidents/distracted-driving/
• Drugged / Drunk Drivers: A report released by the
University of Kentucky Center on Drug & Alcohol
Research in 2014 confirmed that 23.3% of DUI’s in
Kentucky were drug-involved DUI’s.
• Pike County, KY has ~1,000 DUI traffic citations filed
each year. [source]

Eastern Kentucky Driving Dangers: Why Parents in Appalachia Have Reason to Worry
Other Drivers in Eastern KY, continued…
• Angry Drivers: Over 50% of Fatal Accidents Involve
“Aggressive Driving”
http://www.billyjohnsonlaw.com/aggressive-driving/
• Accident Fraudsters intentionally instigate auto
wrecks as part of “Crash for Cash” schemes. A KY
City Ranks in the Top 10 nationally for suspicious
vehicle accident claims.
http://www.billyjohnsonlaw.com/auto-wreck-rings/
• Fatigued Truck Drivers: 30% of Fatal Truck Accidents
Involved Driver Fatigue
http://www.billyjohnsonlaw.com/vehicle-
accidents/truck-driver-fatigue/

Gotten the
Picture?
Eastern KY Presents
Specific Risks to Drivers…
Whether the unique road conditions, the coal
trucks, the community’s concerns about drunk
and drugged driving – there are hazards to be
aware of. Some additional contributing
factors include…

Eastern Kentucky Driving Dangers: Why Parents in Appalachia Have Reason to Worry
Additional Concerns
• Lack of access to public transport options increase the total volume of
drivers on the road, necessitate driving for the elderly and disabled, and
provide fewer mobility options for younger drivers.
Rural counties in Kentucky have fewer public transportation services and,
when available, have limited hours of service. [source]
• Age of Vehicles: Older vehicles lack the newer safety features available in newer
models. The average age of a vehicle on the road is now at a record 11.5 years.
[source]

Eastern Kentucky Driving Dangers: Why Parents in Appalachia Have Reason to Worry
Other Drivers in Eastern KY, continued…
Seat Belt Use
• Pike County had the second lowest rate of seat belt use in Kentucky [source]
• Seat Belt use decreased in 2014: 74% of drivers in Pike County use a seatbelt;
65% of front-seat passengers use them.
• Only 57% of Pick-up Truck Drivers in Pike County used seat belts.
• Child Safety Seats: Older children may pick-up younger siblings from
school or day-care and should know that 90% of children serious injured in a
crash were not restrained in a safety seat. [source]

Stay
Aware. Stay Safe.
BillyJohnsonLaw.com – Your Pikeville KY Accident Lawyer
Connect With Us:
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https://www.google.com/+JohnsonLawFirmPikeville