Eyes on the Road: Kentucky State Police Post 7 Participates in Distracted Driving Awareness Month Safety Campaign

RICHMOND, Ky. (April 6, 2026) – In recognition of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 7 will take part in a nationwide traffic safety campaign, Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness Reduction Effort), from April 6-13, 2026. This initiative, coordinated through the International Association of Chiefs of Police, is designed to reduce preventable crashes by addressing dangerous driving behaviors.

Operation C.A.R.E. is a lifesaving effort, as troopers will be strategically placed along Kentucky’s roadways to identify and stop unsafe driving behaviors before they lead to crashes. Kentucky is among the 49 states that ban texting and driving, as noted on the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) State Text Messaging Bans Map. Although Kentucky law has prohibited texting while driving since 2010, cellphone distractions remain a persistent issue. According to KSP’s collision data, in 2025, 5,505 crashes were attributed to distracted driving and/or cell phone use. Eighteen of the crashes were fatal. The goal of this safety initiative is simple: prevent crashes before they happen and protect lives.

“Distracted driving continues to be one of the most preventable causes of crashes we see,” KSP Post 7 Captain Scott Felder said. “Even a brief moment of distraction behind the wheel can have lasting consequences. During Distracted Driving Awareness Month, I want to remind everyone that staying focused while driving is one of the simplest and most important ways we can protect ourselves and those around us.”

KSP encourages all motorists to make safe choices behind the wheel:

• Pull Over and Park – Stop in a safe location before using a cellphone to send or read a text message.
• Phone a Friend – Ask a passenger to be the “designated texter” and allow them to manage calls and messages during the drive.
• Out of Sight – Drivers can put their phone in the trunk, glove box or back seat of the vehicle to break the habit of driving distracted.
• Report Dangerous Drivers – If you see someone driving recklessly or distracted, report it to the nearest KSP post, which can be found by viewing the agency’s Post Map.

KSP’s mission is to improve public safety, maintain critical services and better reflect the diverse communities it serves. For more information about KSP’s commitment to creating a safer Kentucky, click here.

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