High speeds and traffic fatalities are on the rise across Nebraska roadways, and the Nebraska Department of Transportation and State Patrol are urging motorists to take steps to keep all travelers safe.
Monday of this week, NDOT released the June Traffic Fatality Toll, which showed an increase in crashes in Nebraska as compared to last June; the total number of fatalities through the first six months of the year was 120, the same as it 2022, and more than ten percent higher than the four year average from 2020 through 2023.
In a news release, Director Vicki Kramer said “As we approach the height of summer travel, it’s important to reflect on the responsibility we carry every time we get behind the wheel. Summer break is a time for family, fun, and festivities, but it is also a period that historically sees an increase in road incidents. In Nebraska, this reality is compounded by some troubling statistics concerning increases in speeding and distracted driving, coupled with dangerously low seat belt usage.”
Last month, Nebraska State Troopers issued over 100 citations for speeding at 100 miles per hour or more, the fourth straight month of triple-digit citations for triple-digit speeds. Last week, troopers clocked clocked a motorist traveling 130 MPH in a 65 MPH construction zone, and another trooper pulled over a vehicle on a two-lane highway with a speed reading of 151 MPH.
“The excessively high speeds we’re seeing on Nebraska roadways increase the risk of crashes for everyone on the road,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “Our Troopers continue working hard to address the issue, but the easiest solution is for all motorists to drive responsibly.”
In the last ten years, the monthly average of citations for 100+ MPH speeds has more than doubled, from an average of 45 per month in 2015 to 98 per month in 2024.
| Year | Monthly Average |
| 2015 | 45 |
| 2016 | 55 |
| 2017 | 60 |
| 2018 | 57 |
| 2019 | 50 |
| 2020 | 90 |
| 2021 | 73 |
| 2022 | 78 |
| 2023 | 91 |
| 2024 YTD | 98 |
“Every time you get behind the wheel, drive with others in mind,” said Colonel John Bolduc. “Slow down and keep your fellow travelers safe.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cites speeding as one of the major factors in fatality crashes across the country. Speeding was a contributing factor in 29 percent of traffic fatalities in 2022.
Kramer said additionally, while Nebraska law prohibits the use of a handheld wireless device to read, write, or send communication while operating a motor vehicle, NDOT’s Highway Safety Office reported that in 2023, 3,405 drivers were involved in distracted driving crashes, including 629 that were cellphone related. And currently, 35 states have primary enforcement for seatbelt violations, in Nebraska it is a secondary offense, ultimately impacting our usage rate of 77.3 percent, one of the lowest in the country.
“These behaviors translate into dangerous and potentially deadly situations,” said Kramer. “Every decision we make behind the wheel can save lives or take them. It is crucial we all take personal responsibility— wear your seat belt, adhere to speed limits, and put away distractions. Let’s honor the dedication of our road construction teams and protect our fellow Nebraskans by committing to safe, responsible driving.”
