Officials warn drivers to stay safe on the roads amid holiday travel

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – As Independence Day nears, travel may seem more challenging as the roads are busier.

Public Information Officer for KYTC District 3, Wes Watt, warns drivers to expect traffic due to many people driving on the road.

“Put the phone down, stay focused on the road,” Watt said.

Watt also says that people should obey traffic laws and the speed limit, use a navigation system, cross the street safely, and follow the bicycling laws.

These are tips that Watt believes drivers should follow anytime someone is behind the wheel, not just during busy holiday travel times.

According to newly updated data by the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety, over the past four years, there has been an overall increase in traffic fatalities. In the KYTC District 3 area, there have been 25 vehicle fatalities as of today. According to Watt, that number is currently down from what it was on the same day in years past and hopes the trend continues.

While traffic accidents can happen any any moment, holidays can lead to a spike in vehicle accidents. Kentucky State Police Post 3 Trooper Katan Parker said that around July 4, KSP is increasing their visibility by conducting more checkpoints to ensure drivers are not intoxicated and have an updated license and registration.

“We see these collisions happening, and then we see the result of it, and we would like to get those numbers down as much as we possibly can,” Parker said.

Both Watt and Parker say one of the biggest causes of accidents is impatience.

“When I’m on the road, people, usually, are in a hurry and trying to weave around traffic and stuff like that instead of just being patient,” Parker said. “People need to start just being patient.”

Watt also believes that leaving for your destination with plenty of time to spare will ultimately benefit everyone.

“The biggest thing people can do to prepare for traveling during the holidays is just give yourself a lot of extra time to get to where you’re going,” Watt said. “Impatience leads to a lot of crashes and a lot of issues on the roadway.”

Copyright 2024 WBKO. All rights reserved.