Gov. Heineman, State Officials Promote Highway Safety

Encourage Motorists to 'Click It or Ticket'

(Lincoln, Neb.) Today, Gov. Dave Heineman was joined by the Nebraska State Patrol, and the Nebraska Department of Roads, to promote safe travel and the “Click It or Ticket” program. This is the ninth year the state has participated in the campaign, which runs from May 20 through June 2.
“Highway safety is a shared responsibility,” said Gov. Heineman. “While we remain dedicated to continually increasing safety, we can’t do it alone. By making safety a priority through seat belt usage, Nebraskans play a key role in helping save lives.”
In 2012, Nebraska experienced its first increase in fatalities in three years with 212 individuals dying on Nebraska’s roadways. The roadway deaths experienced in the first four months of 2013 are nearly equal to 2012 numbers, putting our state on pace to experience another year of increased fatalities.
“The reality is, there are consequences to be paid when motorists fail to comply with traffic safety laws,” said Col. David Sankey, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol.  “You can put the odds of avoiding a citation or surviving a crash in your favor, by making sure to obey the posted speed limit, always buckle up and never drive impaired or distracted.”
Along with the Nebraska State Patrol, the “Click It or Ticket” mobilization involves 62 law enforcement agencies across the state. This provides more than 12,000 hours of additional traffic enforcement and emphasizes the use of seat belts and proper child restraints.
Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer travel season and motorists are reminded that Nebraska law requires drivers to move over for emergency vehicles. Additionally, road construction projects typically increase during summer months. Drivers are encouraged to pay extra attention in work zones and remember that fines for infractions double when workers are present.
“Reducing property damage, personal injury and fatalities on our state’s roadways is every driver’s job when he or she is behind the wheel,” said Randy Peters, Director and State Engineer of the Nebraska Department of Roads. “While highway workers may not be present over the Memorial Day weekend, the work zones will still be there. Please, drive extra carefully near work zones.
Gov. Heineman said, “Let’s all do our part to have a safe summer travel season. Join me by buckling up, moving over and paying extra attention in work zones.”