Distracted driving on Kentucky roads can earn motorists careless or reckless driving charges, fines, and even jail time. Drivers may be guilty of distracted driving for looking at a cell phone, eating, or even caring for a pet while behind the wheel.
What Is Considered Distracted Driving in Kentucky?
What is considered too much of a distraction will often be based on the judgment of a law enforcement officer. A Louisville Metro Police Officer, a Lexington Police Officer, or a Kentucky State Police (KSP) Trooper would be called upon to decide if the action drivers contributed to them putting others at risk. This judgment would be used when examining what caused a collision.
The law is clear on one factor. Drivers who text, email, or instant message while driving are breaking the law. You can read more about Kentucky’s cell phone driving laws here.
The Kentucky Office of Highway Safety (KOHS) reports that beyond cell phones, there are many other possible factors that take a driver’s eyes from the road:
- The use of any electronic device
- Reaching for something
- Using the radio
- Talking to passengers
- Reading or writing
- Eating, drinking, or smoking
- Grooming
- Dealing with a pet on the loose in the car
- Dealing with a baby or child
Distracted Driving Law for Kentucky Motorists
Drivers who make stupid choices behind the wheel and allow themselves to become distracted could face careless driving charges. A Kentucky motorist who puts others at extreme risk without care, such as driving distracted while watching a movie, could face a more serious charge of reckless driving.
A violation of the texting and driving ban in Kentucky would usually be considered a careless driving citation as long as the mistake didn’t cause a serious accident.
This is the wording of the law that holds all drivers responsible for traveling as safely as possible.
“Operator of vehicle to drive carefully. (1) The operator of any vehicle upon a highway shall operate the vehicle in a careful manner, with regard for the safety and convenience of pedestrians and other vehicles upon the highway.”
Violators who are careless in their decisions and allow their vehicles to go out of control while distracted could face careless or reckless driving charges. The fines would run from $20 to $100, but added to those penalties would be substantial court fees. You can get more information on our page about Kentucky’s texting and driving penalties that also apply to many distracted driving citations. A distraction that leads to a serious accident that leads to an injury or a fatality could face felony charges.
Violators would also see points added to their driver’s license. Kentucky uses a point system to identify people who repeatedly ignore or neglect to follow state traffic laws. A reckless driving conviction would add 4 points to the license, a careless driving conviction would add 3 points to the license. If an offender accumulates 12 points over a two-year period, the driver’s license could be suspended.
Drivers who are distracted when they strike a construction worker or construction equipment could face fines and jail time. They could also have their driver’s licenses revoked.
Contact a Kentucky Car Accident Lawyer After a Collision
Drivers are often tempted to look many other places than at the road ahead. These reckless decisions lead to devastating crashes and life-changing injuries.
If you have been seriously injured in a collision caused by a careless distracted driver, contact a Kentucky Car Accident Lawyer to schedule a free and confidential consultation. We help victims and their families earn the money they need to fully recover in Lexington, Louisville, and across the entire state.
