Whitfield Aims to Make Kentucky Roads Safer | News | Congressman Ed Whitfield

News | Congressman Ed Whitfield | United States Representative

Whitfield Aims to Make Kentucky Roads Safer October 21, 2009 WASHINGTON - Working to decrease accidents on Kentucky roadways and raise awareness about the importance of driver safety, U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) co-sponsored a Resolution this week which aims to educate all Americans about the many risks drivers face on the road.

"Last year, there were more than 120,000 accidents on Kentucky roadways, resulting in 25,000 injuries and nearly 800 deaths," Whitfield said. "Raising awareness about the dangers of reckless driving is one of the best ways to reduce fatal car crashes and make roads in the First District safer."

Whitfield became a co-sponsor this week of H. Res. 841, the Drive Safer Sunday Resolution. The Resolution designates November 29, 2009, the Sunday after Thanksgiving and the busiest highway traffic day of the year, as "Drive Safer Sunday." The Resolution encourages all Americans to educate themselves about highway safety and the dangers of "distracted driving."

"Distracted driving" refers to anything that takes a person's eyes, hands or mind away from driving such as talking or texting on a cell phone, eating food or drinking beverages, adjusting the radio, smoking, putting on makeup, or reading. The issue has garnered increased attention in recent weeks, following the release of a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The study found that nearly 6,000 people died and more than a half million people were injured last year in crashes involving a distracted driver. Whitfield noted that young people are the greatest proportion of distracted drivers involved in car crashes.

This week also marks "National Teen Driver Safety Week." This week is observed every year in October to educate teens on the risks associated with driving and encourage young people to drive more safely. In 2007, more than 7,000 young people under the age of 21 were involved in fatal car accidents. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), while teen drivers represent less than 7 percent of the driving population they account for more than 13 percent of drivers involved in all deadly crashes.

"Statistics show that sixteen-year-old drivers are more than twice as likely to be involved in deadly crashes as older drivers," Whitfield said. "During National Teen Driver Safety Week, I encourage all residents of the First Congressional District to be mindful of the risks to our young people and all those who travel on Kentucky roads. Together, teachers, parents and community leaders can have a significant impact curbing teenage car accidents."

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