Kentucky State Police Initiates Motorcycle Safety Campaign

State police have launched a safety campaign aimed at reducing the alarmingly high number of motorcycle accidents that have taken place in Kentucky this year. 

According to the Associated Press, officials will send out safety messages using social media sites like Facebook and Twitter and encourage motorcyclists and drivers to exercise caution on the roads. 

As of April 4, there have been 249 motorcycle accidents in Kentucky, nearly a 70 percent increase from one year earlier. Those wrecks led to personal injuries in 169 cases, a 44 percent increase. Nine people have died in motorcycle crashes, up 44 percent compared to last year.   

Police have attributed the increase in motorcycle crashes to the unusually warm weather in Kentucky, which has put riders on Kentucky roads more often. 

Motorcyclists are less visible to other motorists, making them more vulnerable if an accident occurs. Kentucky police spokesperson Lt. David Jude said one of the goals of the campaign is to increase driver recognition of motorcyclists in traffic. 

In addition to taking to social media, Kentucky State Police are holding a Motorcycle Safety Day on June 22 in Frankfort, where educational materials, motorcycles and vendors will be on site. A police escort will also accompany motorcyclists on a ride.   

As always, the Lexington lawyers at the Frank Jenkins Law Office encourage all bikers and motorists to drive safely on the roads. Motorcyclists are particularly at risk for serious injury because they have little protection from direct bodily harm if a collision occurs. 

Kentucky personal injury and wrongful death law protects people who have been injured in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another person or an entity such as a parts manufacturer.