How the “Rules of the Road” in Kentucky apply to your car accident

If you have been involved in a car accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, including medical bills, lost wages, property damage to your vehicle, and pain and suffering. But how do you know whose fault the collision was? If the other driver ran a red light or rear-ended you while you were stopped at a light, this question might yield a simple answer. Many times, however, the other driver won’t admit to causing the collision or might even blame you for causing it.

Driving in Kentucky comes with a clear set of responsibilities designed to keep motorists, passengers, and pedestrians safe. These rules are primarily found in KRS Chapter 189 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes and apply to anyone operating a vehicle on public roadways.

The most basic rule is that everyone is required to operate their vehicle in a careful manner with regard to the safety of others. This means that drivers should be aware of their surroundings, and avoid aggressive driving, excessive accelerations, or dangerous lane changes. Drivers should adjust their driving for weather, traffic, and road conditions.

Kentucky law requires drivers to travel at a speed that is “reasonable and prudent” for conditions. Standard maximum limits are generally 70 mph on rural interstates, 65 mph on urban interstates and parkways, 55 mph on many other highways, and 35 mph in residential or business districts, unless otherwise posted. Speeds must be reduced in school zones and during hazardous conditions like rain, fog, or ice.

Drivers must comply with all official traffic control devices, including stop signs, yield signs, traffic lights, and lane markings. Running a red light or ignoring a stop sign is a violation. At four-way stops, drivers yield to the vehicle that arrives first. When turning left, you must yield to oncoming traffic. Drivers must stay in their lane of travel, should not swerve out of their lane into oncoming traffic, and must follow specific rules for passing and overtaking slower vehicles in front of them.

Drivers must have their headlights on ½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise, or at other times where the conditions render visibility low.

Vehicles should generally be kept in good working order, with brakes, brake lights, horns, and steering devices to be reasonably safe. Vehicles should avoid obstructions that would make it difficult for the driver to see.

Right-of-way rules are central to preventing collisions. Kentucky drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, to vehicles already in an intersection, and to emergency vehicles using lights and sirens. If an emergency vehicle approaches an intersection with its lights and sirens activated, it has the right of way even if its traffic signal is red. When approaching stopped emergency vehicles or certain roadside vehicles with flashing lights, drivers must move over when safe to do so.

Likewise, when a school or church bus displays flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, traffic behind the bus must stop. Traffic in both directions must stop unless the roadway is a four-lane highway.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not permitted. Generally speaking, a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher constitutes DUI for most drivers, with stricter standards for commercial drivers and those under 21. Texting while driving is also prohibited, and drivers under 18 face additional cellphone restrictions.

If you are involved in a collision, you should stop, provide identifying information, render reasonable assistance to anyone injured, and notify law enforcement when appropriate.

If you suffer a collision, contact the attorneys at Mehr Fairbanks for a free consultation. You can reach us through our website here or by phone at (859) 225-3731.