By Todd Hatton
Murray, KY – Kentucky State Police say the number of fatal highway crashes is on the decline. As of Wednesday, there had been 701 fatalities reported in 2011. That's compared with 750 through the same date in 2010. In 2009, there were 771 fatalities, and the year prior there were 797. Police spokesman David Jude says there were several reasons for the decline, including efforts in education, enforcement and engineering. But he says the most credit goes to drivers who have changed their behaviors behind the wheel to be safer.