A person’s alcohol concentration can be measured through a blood test (BAC) or through a breath test (BRAC). If the test measures .08 or above, the person age 21 or older is legally impaired. It is illegal for persons under 21 to drive with a BAC of .02 or higher.
House Bill 415, signed into law on April 15, 2010, bans texting for drivers of all ages while the vehicle is in motion. For drivers 18 and over, it allows the use of global positioning devices and reading, selecting or entering a telephone number or name for the purpose of making a call.
For drivers under 18, no use of personal communication devices is allowed while the vehicle is in motion. The use of a global positioning system is allowed, but manually entering information must be completed while the vehicle is stopped.
Kentucky has a primary seat belt law, meaning drivers may be stopped and cited if anyone in the vehicle is unrestrained.
If any school or church bus is stopped and has a stop arm and signal lights activated, any vehicle approaching from any direction must stop and may not proceed until the bus has been put into motion. This rule does not apply when approaching a stopped bus from the opposite direction upon a highway of 4 or more lanes.
Children less than 40 inches must be properly installed in a car seat. Children younger than 8-years-old and between 40 and 57 inches must be in a booster. Children younger than 8 but taller than 57 inches do not have to ride in a booster seat.
Violation of the child restraint law is a standard offense.
As of July 2024, the expanded ‘Slow Down, Move Over’ law requires drivers to slow down or move over for all vehicles, including disabled ones. When approaching any stationary vehicle with flashing lights—whether emergency, towing, recovery, or highway crews—drivers must safely move over a lane or slow down if on a roadway of fewer than four lanes while using caution and watching for citizens, workers or emergency personnel.
If you are involved in a crash and no one is visibly injured, move the vehicle to the shoulder or off the interstate or parkway. Call police and exchange information.
If you have a disabled vehicle move the vehicle off the roadway if possible and stay in the vehicle. Turn on emergency flashers, tie something white or bright to the antenna or window, or raise the hood, to request aid. If unable to move the vehicle from the roadway, stand away from the vehicle.