Gov. Heineman Notes Positive Impact
of ‘Click It or Ticket’ Campaign

(Lincoln, NE) Gov. Dave Heineman was joined by Nebraska law enforcement and safety officials to promote the “Click It or Ticket” Mobilization. This is the third year the state has participated in the national safety campaign, which began May 21 and runs through June 3.

“In Nebraska, we are making a concerted effort to reduce fatalities on our roads by encouraging partnerships between state, local and federal agencies involved in road safety programs,” Gov. Heineman said. “This campaign is an important part of that effort. Nebraskans can do their part to reduce fatalities by buckling up and making sure their passengers do the same, each and every time they get in a vehicle.”

Seat belt use in Nebraska has increased in recent years after remaining stable between 2000 and 2002. However, last year seat belt usage in the state was 76 percent, down from a high of 79.2 percent in 2004 and 2005.

Gov. Heineman said, “We want to ensure this dip in seat belt usage is a one-time occurrence. With several states achieving rates of more than 80 percent, we know we can do better.”

Other indicators of road safety are improving. The use of child safety restraints has increased from 84.3 in 2005 to 88.6 percent last year, which is the biggest increase recorded in Nebraska. Officials have also seen a decrease in the number and severity of crash injuries, down 14 percent between 2004 and 2006. Pickup truck-related injuries declined 19 percent in the past three years.

In addition, there have been fewer fatalities on Nebraska roads so far this year. In 2005 the number of deaths recorded at this point in the year was 101. This year, there have been 95 fatalities.

Col. Bryan Tuma, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol, said, “The Nebraska State Patrol is dedicated to reducing the number of fatal crashes and participation in special enforcements such as Click It or Ticket. These efforts have been an effective in improving road safety. Conducting sobriety check-points, stepping up enforcement of violations that tend to result in crashes, and monitoring areas where accidents have occurred are some of the ways we’re working to bring the number of crash fatalities down in Nebraska.”

A total of 55 law enforcement agencies across the state received highway safety grant funding to provide 11,000 hours of additional traffic enforcement during “Click It or Ticket.” The Office of Highway Safety within the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) administers the grant program.

DMV Director Beverly Neth said, “We’ve increased the number of special enforcement hours and while use of Nebraska roads is up, we’ve seen a significant decrease in the number of crashes statewide. That’s an indication that mobilization efforts are having an impact.”

Over the last three years the number of reported crashes has decreased 12 percent, from 37,227 in 2004 to 32,780 in 2006. Roads officials note that crashes in construction zones have declined 63 percent during the last 8 years.

John Craig, Director of the Department of Roads, said “We have developed a strategic highway safety plan for Nebraska to help better coordinate efforts between the state, cities and counties, but the most important role is that of the individual. Buckling up is still the best way to help reduce fatalities on the road.”