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2016 Kentucky Highway Fatality Count Up 73 Compared to 2015

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Highway fatalities in Kentucky increased last year according to numbers from the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety and Kentucky State Police.

There were 834 fatalities in 2016, 73 more than 2015. More than 50 percent of the 834 highway fatalities were not wearing a seat belt and around 17 percent involved alcohol. More than 36 percent involved speeding or aggressive drivers and 23 percent involved driver distraction. Motorcyclists accounted for 90 fatalities, with 60 percent not wearing helmets.

According to the National Safety Council, preliminary estimates indicate motor vehicle deaths totaled 40,200 nationally last year, up 6 percent from 2015 and the first time fatalities exceeded 40,000 since 2007.

Preliminary numbers in Kentucky this year indicate there have been 210 roadway fatalities, six less than the same time last year.

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