Statewide push aims to curb speeding during summer travel, work zones
FRANKFORT — Kentucky transportation and safety officials have rolled out a summer speed-awareness campaign urging motorists to slow down and obey posted limits to reduce crashes and protect workers and other road users.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and law enforcement agencies statewide are promoting the "Not So Fast, Kentucky" campaign now through July 31. The effort combines public education with stepped-up speed enforcement supported by grants from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Officials say speeding and aggressive driving remain significant contributors to roadway deaths. State figures show that in 2025, roughly one-third of traffic fatalities involved a speeding or aggressive driver — a statistic transportation leaders say underscores the campaign’s urgency.
"Speed limits are in place to protect everyone on the road," Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman said. "We’re asking drivers to slow down and stay alert, especially as more workers are out in construction work zones improving roads and bridges for travelers."
Equipment, enforcement and practical steps
To bolster enforcement, the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety has equipped local agencies through grants that supplied handheld and dash-mounted radar units over the past three years. Officials say devices have been distributed to help sustain year-round speed enforcement efforts.
- Campaign dates: Now through July 31
- Focus: Speed awareness, work-zone safety, general compliance with posted limits
- Tools provided: Handheld and dash-mounted radar units to participating agencies
Transportation officials also noted a relatively new enforcement tool: automated speed enforcement devices deployed in some active highway work zones beginning in late 2025. The cabinet described those systems as an added layer to improve safety where crews are present.
| Item | Amount/Period |
|---|---|
| Handheld radar units | more than 50 (past 3 years) |
| Dash-mounted radar units | more than 150 (past 3 years) |
| Automated enforcement | Introduced in some work zones late 2025 |
Why the campaign matters locally
Higher speeds increase crash severity and reduce reaction time for drivers confronted with stopped traffic, debris, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists or highway workers. Even modestly exceeding the limit can change the outcome of an incident, transportation officials warn. For Kentucky counties with major summer traffic corridors or active construction projects, the campaign aims to reduce serious collisions and keep work crews safe.
Drivers can help by slowing to posted speeds, paying close attention in work zones, and allowing extra travel time during construction. Law enforcement agencies participating in the program may increase speed checks and issue citations where necessary as part of the campaign’s enforcement component.
The cabinet defines a work zone as any portion of a highway where government crews, contractors or utility companies are conducting construction, repairs, resurfacing, inspections or maintenance. Officials urged motorists to use caution around those areas for both personal safety and the protection of road crews.
With summer travel and construction activity expected to continue, the campaign seeks to remind Kentuckians that compliance with speed limits can meaningfully reduce injuries and fatalities on the state’s roads.
