FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 28, 2025) – To encourage Kentucky drivers to take two simple life-saving actions, Gov. Andy Beshear proclaimed Oct. 29 as Buckle Up, Phone Down Day.  Kentucky joins multiple states in the effort to promote highway safety by asking drivers to wear a seatbelt and avoid distracted driving when behind the wheel.

“A crash can happen in an instant, and taking the simplest steps like putting your phone down and buckling up can save lives,” said Gov. Beshear. “Please, make the right choices to protect yourself and your neighbors. Let’s all work together to keep our roadways safe for our families.”

Over the past decade, distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of vehicle crashes on our nation’s roads. According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s (KYTC) Office of Highway Safety (KOHS), each year in Kentucky, distracted driving results in more than 40,000 crashes, more than 11,000 injuries and more than 150 deaths.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), using a phone while driving is especially dangerous. Anything that takes a driver’s eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or mind off the task of driving is a hazard – and using a phone combines all three types of distraction: visual, manual and cognitive.

“Even if you’re a responsible driver, others may not be,” said KYTC Sec. Jim Gray. “Your first line of defense is to always wear your seatbelt. You can’t control other drivers’ actions, but you can control your own. It only takes two seconds to buckle your seatbelt, and those few seconds can be enough to save your life if you’re in a crash.”

According to KOHS, each year in Kentucky, nearly half of those killed in motor vehicles are not wearing a seat belt. NHTSA reports that wearing a seat belt gives motorists the best chance of preventing injury or death in a crash. Properly fastened seat belts rest on the strongest parts of the body, such as the chest, hips and shoulders. They spread the force of a crash over a wide area, reducing stress on any one part of the body, and allow the body to slow down more gradually, extending the time over which crash forces are absorbed.

The Buckle Up, Phone Down campaign was created in Missouri in 2017 and has expanded to nearly two dozen states across the country. It was adopted in Kentucky in 2019. Gov. Beshear also declared proclamations for Buckle Up, Phone Down Day in 2023 and 2024.

Visit bupdky.com to learn more and to download an original cell phone ringtone.

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Editors note:  Radio spots, ringtone and videos may be downloaded at bupdky.com

The 2025 Buckle Up Phone Day proclamation is available here.