MoneyGeek analyzed 2,052 fatal crashes that occurred in Kentucky between 2017 to 2019. Out of 166,971 miles of road in the state, our study examined 807 roads. Our analysis explored how various driving behaviors — such as distracted driving, speeding, drunk driving and winter weather — contributed to fatal crashes in Kentucky. We also broke down fatal accidents by month and county, including the deadliest road in each county.
Key Findings
- US-25 from State Rd. Champ to Fariston Rd. is the deadliest stretch of road in Kentucky. From 2017 to 2019, nine fatal accidents occurred there.
- 24% of fatal accidents were related to drunk driving, the most significant contributor in the state. Speeding contributed to 15% of accidents.
- Distracted driving was involved in 18% of accidents. MoneyGeek ranked Kentucky as the third-worst state for distracted driving in our distracted driving study.
- The month of August had the highest number of fatal accidents (209). July (202) and October (201) had the following two highest numbers of deadly crashes.
- Jefferson County had more fatal accidents than any other county. Most of these occurred on US-31W.
10 Deadliest Road Stretches in Kentucky
- DEADLIEST ROAD IN KENTUCKYUS-25 from State Rd. Champ to Fariston Rd.London
- Fatal Accidents:9
- fatalities:9
- Crashes Per Mile:1.9
- distance:4.7 miles
- SR-1747 from Shepherdsville Rd. to Paramount Park Dr.Louisville
- Fatal Accidents:9
- fatalities:9
- Crashes Per Mile:3.1
- distance:2.9 miles
- SR-1447 from N. Hurstbourne Pkwy. to Westport TerraceLouisville | Woodlawn Park | Saint Matthew
- Fatal Accidents:8
- fatalities:8
- Crashes Per Mile:2.2
- distance:3.6 miles
- US-25 from New Coleman Ln. to Spurr Rd.Lexington-Fayette | Lexington
- Fatal Accidents:7
- fatalities:8
- Crashes Per Mile:1.4
- distance:4.9 miles
- I-264 from River Park Dr. to Exit 8ALouisville | Shively
- Fatal Accidents:7
- fatalities:8
- Crashes Per Mile:1.5
- distance:4.8 miles
- US-31W from Argonne Ave. to Lower Hunters TraceShively | Louisville
- Fatal Accidents:7
- fatalities:7
- Crashes Per Mile:1.7
- distance:4.1 miles
- SR-1934 from Lower River Rd. to Smith Ln.Louisville
- Fatal Accidents:7
- fatalities:7
- Crashes Per Mile:1.6
- distance:4.4 miles
- SR-1865 from Palatka Rd. to Strader Ave.Louisville
- Fatal Accidents:7
- fatalities:7
- Crashes Per Mile:2.5
- distance:2.8 miles
- I-65 from Exit 71 to Exit 65Hart County
- Fatal Accidents:6
- fatalities:8
- Crashes Per Mile:1.3
- distance:4.5 miles
- US-60 from Pisgah Pike to Frankfort St.Versailles
- Fatal Accidents:6
- fatalities:6
- Crashes Per Mile:1.3
- distance:4.5 miles
Drunk Driving Involved in 24% of Fatal Accidents
Drunk driving was the top contributing factor in the state’s 2,052 fatal accidents. Between 2017 and 2019, 487 crashes in Kentucky involved drunk driving, surpassing the number of deadly crashes involving other factors like distracted driving, speeding and winter weather.
Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) must be at least 0.8 to be considered legally impaired in Kentucky. However, a BAC of .02 already diminishes your ability to drive, putting you and your passengers in danger.
There are considerable costs of drunk driving, even if they don't result in fatalities or accidents. Your license could be suspended, and you may even need to serve jail time. Having a driving under the influence (DUI) charge on your record also guarantees less affordable car insurance in Kentucky.
Speeding Is a Factor in 15% of Fatal Crashes
In Kentucky, there were 314 fatal crashes involving speeding between 2017 and 2019. That translates to roughly about 15% of all accidents in the state that resulted in death.
Driving above the legal speed limit has serious repercussions. Controlling your car becomes more challenging, and a sudden stop may not even be possible. Speeding also reduces the effectiveness of protective equipment inside and outside of your vehicle, meaning there’s a higher probability that it’ll lead to severe injuries or fatal crashes.
Distracted Driving Contributed to 18% of Fatal Accidents
From 2017 to 2019, 371 fatal accidents in Kentucky involved distracted driving — that’s 18% of crashes resulting in deaths.
While this factor didn’t contribute to as many deadly accidents as drunk driving, distracted driving is still a serious problem in Kentucky. MoneyGeek’s distracted driving study ranked Kentucky as the third-worst state in the country for distracted driving.
August Had More Fatal Accidents Than Any Other Month
MoneyGeek analyzed crash data based on when fatal crashes occurred and found that most deadly accidents happened in August. There were 209 fatal accidents recorded that month, translating to 10.2% of all crashes. July and October were the next-deadliest months, with 202 (9.8% and 201 (9.8%) accidents, respectively.
Average Fatal Accidents by Month
Month | Fatal
Accidents | Drunk
Driving
Related | Distracted
Driving
Related | Winter
Conditions | Speeding
Related | % of
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
January | 115 | 24 | 17 | 8 | 22 | 5.6% |
February | 153 | 32 | 31 | 1 | 29 | 7.5% |
March | 165 | 35 | 31 | 2 | 27 | 8.0% |
April | 154 | 44 | 28 | 2 | 26 | 7.5% |
May | 184 | 53 | 30 | 0 | 26 | 9.0% |
June | 171 | 33 | 31 | 0 | 26 | 8.3% |
July | 202 | 62 | 24 | 0 | 28 | 9.8% |
August | 209 | 48 | 59 | 0 | 35 | 10.2% |
September | 192 | 46 | 39 | 0 | 29 | 9.4% |
October | 201 | 45 | 35 | 0 | 24 | 9.8% |
November | 158 | 31 | 26 | 3 | 20 | 7.7% |
December | 148 | 34 | 20 | 2 | 22 | 7.2% |
Driving Safely Protects You, Others and Your Wallet
Practicing safe driving behaviors doesn’t just help make Kentucky roadways safe for all drivers — it also allows you to save money in the long term. Getting into an accident is expensive, even if it doesn’t result in a fatality. Carrying an affordable full coverage car insurance policy provides you and your loved ones with financial protection in the event of a crash.
The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Kentucky is $1,405, but it may vary depending on where you live. For example, car insurance in Louisville, the state’s most populous city, costs an average of $1,610 per year. In comparison, auto insurance coverage in Lexington costs $1,201 annually. That’s a difference of $409.
Remember that these rates are only averages. Your premium may vary depending on your unique driver profile. When determining your premiums, insurers will factor in your age, driving history, and car model. Comparing car insurance quotes from multiple providers can help you find the cheapest rate available.
Fatal Accidents and Most Dangerous Roads: County Breakdown
The five counties in Kentucky with the highest number of fatal crashes contributed 493 incidents. That’s nearly one-quarter of all fatal accidents in the state.
From 2017 to 2019, 268 fatal crashes occurred in Jefferson County, making it the county with the most accidents resulting in deaths. Most of these happened on the US-31W and involved speeding (49) and drunk driving (65).
Fatal Accidents and Contributing Factors By County
County | Fatalities | Fatal
Accidents | Drunk
Driving
Related | Distracted
Driving
Related | Speeding
Related | Most Deadly
Road
(Fatal Accidents) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jefferson | 280 | 268 | 65 | 33 | 49 | US-31W (19) |
Fayette | 100 | 89 | 27 | 6 | 18 | US-25 (13) |
Warren | 55 | 47 | 12 | 2 | 7 | I-65 (10) |
Hardin | 53 | 46 | 9 | 12 | 6 | US-31W (9) |
Laurel | 47 | 43 | 13 | 11 | 6 | US-25 (10) |
Pike | 46 | 42 | 10 | 10 | 9 | US-23 (8) |
Kenton | 42 | 37 | 10 | 5 | 6 | I-75 (5) |
Boone | 39 | 36 | 12 | 6 | 7 | US-25 (5) |
Christian | 42 | 35 | 6 | 7 | 5 | SR-9004 (5) |
Pulaski | 37 | 33 | 11 | 5 | 6 | US-27 (6) |
Bullitt | 33 | 33 | 10 | 8 | 6 | SR-44 (8) |
Graves | 31 | 31 | 4 | 7 | 3 | US-45 (5) |
Grayson | 31 | 30 | 6 | 10 | 1 | SR-9001 (6) |
Nelson | 37 | 30 | 5 | 5 | 4 | SR-9002 (7) |
Mccracken | 34 | 30 | 6 | 5 | 8 | US-60 (7) |
Daviess | 29 | 29 | 10 | 9 | 9 | US-60 (7) |
Floyd | 28 | 27 | 1 | 6 | 5 | US-23 (10) |
Perry | 29 | 26 | 6 | 3 | 1 | SR-15 (6) |
Muhlenberg | 27 | 25 | 3 | 7 | 1 | US-431 (7) |
Campbell | 31 | 24 | 7 | 4 | 4 | US-27 (7) |
Madison | 25 | 24 | 8 | 4 | 5 | I-75 (6) |
Clark | 25 | 24 | 3 | 4 | 5 | I-64 (7) |
Marshall | 24 | 23 | 4 | 6 | 5 | US-68 (6) |
Barren | 24 | 23 | 5 | 2 | 3 | US-68 (7) |
Meade | 23 | 21 | 9 | 6 | 1 | SR-79 (2) |
Whitley | 22 | 21 | 6 | 7 | 5 | I-75 (4) |
Oldham | 22 | 20 | 2 | 3 | 3 | I-71 (6) |
Scott | 19 | 19 | 3 | 3 | 2 | I-75 (3) |
Montgomery | 19 | 19 | 3 | 2 | 7 | US-460 (6) |
Lawrence | 21 | 19 | 6 | 4 | 2 | US-23 (7) |
Allen | 18 | 18 | 5 | 3 | 1 | SR-101 (4) |
Bourbon | 19 | 18 | 7 | 2 | 2 | US-27 (4) |
Knox | 18 | 18 | 3 | 5 | 3 | US-25E (3) |
Letcher | 19 | 18 | 5 | 2 | 0 | US-119 (4) |
Lincoln | 20 | 17 | 4 | 5 | 3 | US-150 (5) |
Jessamine | 17 | 16 | 2 | 3 | 2 | SR-169 (4) |
Henderson | 16 | 16 | 1 | 5 | 3 | US-41 (4) |
Hart | 18 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 3 | I-65 (9) |
Hopkins | 18 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 4 | I-69 (3) |
Rockcastle | 18 | 16 | 4 | 1 | 2 | I-75 (8) |
Franklin | 20 | 16 | 4 | 7 | 2 | I-64 (6) |
Shelby | 17 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 1 | I-64 (4) |
Lewis | 18 | 16 | 5 | 3 | 1 | SR-8 (4) |
Taylor | 19 | 16 | 1 | 6 | 5 | SR-70 (5) |
Breathitt | 17 | 16 | 6 | 3 | 1 | SR-15 (4) |
Ohio | 15 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 2 | US-62 (3) |
Carter | 15 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 3 | US-60 (5) |
Jackson | 16 | 14 | 1 | 6 | 1 | US-421 (7) |
Trigg | 16 | 14 | 4 | 5 | 4 | US-68 (7) |
Logan | 17 | 14 | 3 | 4 | 2 | US-68 (7) |
Boyle | 14 | 14 | 5 | 4 | 2 | US-150 (3) |
Bell | 18 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 3 | US-25E (4) |
Mercer | 15 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 1 | US-127 (5) |
Woodford | 14 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 1 | US-60 (6) |
Mccreary | 15 | 13 | 2 | 4 | 1 | US-27 (8) |
Calloway | 12 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 1 | SR-121 (2) |
Wolfe | 14 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 2 | SR-15 (3) |
Greenup | 14 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 0 | US-23 (4) |
Boyd | 13 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 2 | US-60 (4) |
Marion | 15 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 2 | SR-527 (2) |
Rowan | 13 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 1 | SR-32 (6) |
Owen | 14 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 1 | SR-22 (2) |
Breckinridge | 11 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 0 | US-60 (4) |
Butler | 11 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 1 | SR-70 (3) |
Clay | 11 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | US-421 (4) |
Gallatin | 12 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 2 | US-42 (4) |
Magoffin | 10 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 3 | SR-40 (3) |
Powell | 12 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 0 | SR-9000 (3) |
Johnson | 11 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 | US-23 (4) |
Mason | 11 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 3 | SR-8 (2) |
Anderson | 11 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 1 | US-127 (3) |
Crittenden | 9 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 0 | US-60 (4) |
Clinton | 9 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 1 | US-127 (4) |
Spencer | 10 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 1 | SR-155 (3) |
Nicholas | 9 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 2 | US-68 (4) |
Grant | 9 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | US-25 (4) |
Pendleton | 10 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | US-27 (4) |
Simpson | 8 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 1 | US-31W (2) |
Russell | 8 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | US-127 (2) |
Washington | 9 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 2 | SR-55 (3) |
Adair | 9 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 2 | SR-80 (2) |
Mclean | 9 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 1 | SR-81 (2) |
Harlan | 8 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 1 | SR-38 (3) |
Carroll | 8 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | I-71 (4) |
Casey | 8 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 2 | US-127 (2) |
Estill | 8 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | SR-82 (4) |
Ballard | 8 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | SR-286 (2) |
Union | 9 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 2 | US-60 (4) |
Carlisle | 7 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | US-51 (3) |
Todd | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Cr- Mt Sharon Rd (1) |
Cumberland | 9 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 1 | SR-90 (4) |
Elliott | 7 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | SR-7 (4) |
Garrard | 8 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 1 | US-27 (5) |
Green | 7 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | SR-61 (3) |
Knott | 7 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | SR-80 (2) |
Larue | 9 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 2 | SR-210 (3) |
Harrison | 7 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | Cr- 279 Blackburn Rd (1) |
Edmonson | 8 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 2 | Cr-Henry Meredith Rd (1) |
Bath | 6 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | I-64 (2) |
Webster | 11 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | SR-138 (2) |
Wayne | 6 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | SR-90 (2) |
Lyon | 8 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 | I-24 (3) |
Leslie | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | SR-9006 (2) |
Fulton | 6 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 3 | US-51 (2) |
Menifee | 7 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | SR-1274 (2) |
Henry | 6 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | I-71 (2) |
Hancock | 7 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | US-60 (2) |
Fleming | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | SR-11 (1) |
Livingston | 5 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | SR-453 (2) |
Trimble | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | US-421 (2) |
Metcalfe | 5 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | SR-9008 (2) |
Bracken | 5 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | SR-10 (1) |
Martin | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | SR-3 (2) |
Morgan | 5 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | US-460 (2) |
Caldwell | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Baldwin Ave (1) |
Hickman | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | SR-1826 (1) |
Owsley | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | SR-30 (2) |
Monroe | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | SR-1366 (1) |
Lee | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | SR-52 (2) |
Methodology
Using 2017, 2018 and 2019’s fatality data, MoneyGeek analyzed information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) database. Currently, 2019 is the latest data available in the system.
About Doug Milnes, CFA
sources
- National Highway Safety Administration. "Fatal Accident and Reporting System (FARS)." Accessed November 1, 2021.
- Federal Highway Administration. "Highway Statistics Series." Accessed November 1, 2021.