Fact Check: Lexington Police Suspend Non-Injury Crash Reports for First Time Since 2022

Police officers in Lexington, Kentucky, have temporarily halted their response to non-injury vehicle crashes for the first time since 2022, following a significant winter storm that blanketed the region in snow and ice on Monday.

The Lexington Police Department announced the policy change early Monday morning as deteriorating road conditions led to numerous accidents across the city. Under the temporary protocol, officers will only respond to collisions involving injuries or disabled vehicles that pose immediate traffic hazards.

“Due to the high volume of crashes being reported and increasingly hazardous road conditions, we’re asking drivers involved in minor accidents without injuries to exchange information and file reports later,” said Lieutenant Hannah Johnson of the Lexington Police Department. “This allows our officers to prioritize emergency situations and crashes with injuries.”

Motorists involved in non-injury crashes are instructed to exchange contact and insurance information with other parties and document the scene with photographs when safe to do so. They can then file collision reports online through the Kentucky State Police website or visit the Lexington Police Department headquarters within 10 days to complete necessary paperwork.

The suspension marks the first implementation of this emergency protocol since December 2022, when a similar winter weather event triggered the same response. The policy is designed to optimize police resources during severe weather events when call volumes typically surge by 200-300 percent.

“When winter weather hits, our dispatch center can become overwhelmed with crash reports,” explained Sergeant Michael Baldwin, who oversees Lexington’s traffic division. “By temporarily adjusting our response protocol, we can ensure that those in life-threatening situations receive prompt assistance.”

Transportation officials reported that road crews had been working since Sunday evening to treat primary and secondary roads throughout Lexington and surrounding Fayette County. Despite these efforts, rapidly falling temperatures transformed wet roadways into icy hazards, particularly on bridges, overpasses, and less-traveled side streets.

The National Weather Service office in Louisville estimated that Lexington received approximately four inches of snow, with higher accumulations reported in rural areas of Fayette County. Meteorologists warned that temperatures would remain below freezing for at least 48 hours, creating prolonged dangerous driving conditions.

Local hospitals reported a modest increase in weather-related injuries, primarily from falls on icy surfaces rather than vehicle crashes. “We’re seeing the usual winter weather cases—mostly wrist fractures and hip injuries from falls,” said Dr. Sarah Thornton, emergency department director at University of Kentucky Medical Center. “Fortunately, we haven’t seen many serious vehicle collision victims, which suggests people may be heeding warnings to stay home.”

The temporary policy has precedent in many urban police departments across snow-affected regions of the United States. Cities including Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Nashville have implemented similar protocols during severe winter weather events in recent years.

Insurance experts advise that the policy change should not significantly impact drivers’ claims processes. “Whether police respond to the scene or not doesn’t typically affect your insurance claim,” explained James Harrington, a regional director with the Kentucky Insurance Association. “What’s important is documenting the crash thoroughly, exchanging information with other parties, and notifying your insurance provider promptly.”

City officials have not announced when regular accident response protocols will resume, noting that the decision will depend on road conditions and call volumes. The Lexington Street and Roads Department indicated that full clearing of residential streets might take up to 48 hours after the snowfall ends.

“We appreciate the public’s understanding as we work to allocate resources efficiently during this weather event,” said Lexington Mayor’s Office spokesperson Rebecca Taylor. “The safety of our community remains our highest priority, and we encourage everyone to stay home if possible until conditions improve.”