Kentucky Reports Record Low Highway, Overdose Deaths in 2024

Kentucky experienced significant improvements in public health and safety in 2024, with highway fatalities dropping to the lowest level in a decade at 707 deaths, a decrease of 107 from the previous year. Nearly half of those fatalities involved unbelted vehicle occupants, and alcohol was a factor in 19% of the cases, prompting continued emphasis on safe driving behaviors by state officials. Concurrently, drug overdose deaths in Kentucky fell by 30.2%, marking the largest year-over-year decline to date, with fentanyl and methamphetamine remaining the most common substances involved. Notably, overdose deaths among Black Kentuckians decreased by 37.3%, reversing a previous upward trend. Local efforts, such as those in Johnson County, have contributed to these positive outcomes through multi-agency collaboration, though officials stress that the fight against drug addiction and roadway fatalities is ongoing. State leaders, including Governor Andy Beshear, underscore the necessity of maintaining prevention, treatment, and enforcement programs to continue progress and save lives.