Kentucky to Post Motorist Death Toll on Highways

Motorists in Kentucky will soon see a grim reminder about highway deaths.

The Kentucky Office of Highway Safety will start posting highway fatality totals on more than 50 electronic message boards on interstates and parkways.

Starting next Tuesday, the agency says the fatality totals will be posted along with other highway safety messages. Emergency messages such as road closures and Amber Alerts will take priority.

Roadway fatalities in Kentucky have declined for three years in a row. But the agency says that as of Oct. 6, the statewide total for the year was 599, two more than on the same date a year ago.

Acting Transportation Cabinet Secretary Mike Hancock says more than half those killed were not wearing seat belts, and 22 percent of deaths involved alcohol.