Kentucky recorded one of the nation's highest rates of weekend distracted driving fatalities during a recent five-year period, with deaths rising sharply in 2024, according to a new study by Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers.

The state recorded 310 weekend distracted driving deaths from 2020 through 2024, an average of 62 fatalities annually. Adjusted for population, Kentucky recorded 1.37 weekend distracted driving deaths per 100,000 residents, ranking fourth highest among the 50 states—behind only New Mexico, Louisiana and Kansas.

The disturbing trend accelerated in recent years. After declining from 59 deaths in 2020 to a low of 48 in 2022, weekend distracted driving fatalities surged to 67 in 2023 before jumping to 84 in 2024—a 75 percent increase from 2022.

"The data paints a clear picture: distracted driving on weekends is claiming far too many lives, and the risk varies enormously depending on where you live," said Chrissy Grigoropoulos, founder of Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers.

The findings come as Kentucky lawmakers continue efforts to strengthen the state's distracted driving laws. Senate Bill 28, the Phone Down Kentucky Act, passed the Kentucky Senate 31-7 in January 2026 but stalled in the House Transportation Committee before the 2026 regular session ended in April. The proposed legislation would expand Kentucky's existing texting ban to cover nearly all phone use unless operated hands-free.

Currently, Kentucky only prohibits texting while driving, leaving gaps in protections. Kentucky State Police collision data revealed a total of 46,842 crashes in 2024 related to distraction and driver inattention.

The study analyzed federal crash data from 2020 through 2024. Only New Mexico, Louisiana and Kansas had higher per-capita rates of weekend distracted driving deaths than Kentucky. New Mexico recorded the nation's highest rate at 4.82 deaths per 100,000 residents, followed by Louisiana at 2.47 and Kansas at 1.76.

Kentucky's average annual rate was more than 10 times the rate reported for Nevada and Rhode Island, which each recorded 0.13 weekend distracted driving deaths per 100,000 residents.

Grigoropoulos said increased enforcement of hands-free laws and public awareness efforts during peak weekend travel periods could help reduce fatalities. The findings are particularly relevant for Kentucky businesses whose employees spend significant time on the road, including trucking and transportation companies, construction firms and delivery operations.