FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 6, 2026) – To encourage seat belt use, save lives and prevent serious injuries from traffic crashes, Team Kentucky will join with law enforcement from across the commonwealth and in several other states for Operation Crash Reduction – a seat belt enforcement campaign running from Oct. 9-12.
“In a crash, wearing a seat belt can be the difference between walking away or suffering serious injuries,” said Kentucky Transportation Secretary Rebecca Goodman. “We all have a responsibility to make safe choices on the road. Buckle up, put your phone down and help us keep Kentucky’s roads safer for everyone.
The Transportation Cabinet’s Kentucky Office of Highway Safety (KOHS), state and local law enforcement, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) Region 3 are teaming up to support Operation Crash Reduction again this October. Region 3 includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia.
“The Kentucky State Police is proud to take part in Operation Crash Reduction. We are committed to preventing crashes, reducing injuries, and making Kentucky’s roadways safer for everyone,” said Major Todd Kidd. Every driver has a role to play - by slowing down, staying focused, wearing a seat belt, and making responsible decisions behind the wheel, we can help prevent tragedies and ensure everyone makes it home safely.”
October consistently ranks among the months with the highest number of fatal crashes nationwide. In 2024, 3,369 fatal crashes were reported across the United States, according to NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
In Kentucky, a total of 1,021 fatal crashes have occurred in the month of October since 2011. Last year, there were 386 injuries and 12 deaths on Kentucky roadways during the Oct. 10-14 holiday weekend.
In Region 3 states that approximately half of vehicle occupants killed in these crashes were unrestrained.
According to NHTSA, when worn correctly, seat belts reduce the risk of fatalities by 45% for front-seat vehicle occupants and by 60% for pickup truck, SUV and minivan occupants.
For more information on seat belts, visit nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/seat-belts
