In an effort to drive home the message “seat belts save lives” the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) will participate in the nationwide “Click It or Ticket” campaign. The special enforcement effort will begin Monday, November 23, 2009 and continue through the Thanksgiving holiday weekend (11-29-09).

According to 2008 statistics released by the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety (NOHS), a vehicle crash occurs every 15 minutes in Nebraska, with one person killed every 42 hours.

“The Nebraska State Patrol is committed to reducing the number of fatality crashes on our roadways,” said Colonel Bryan Tuma, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “While fatalities dropped to a 40 year low last year, we have seen a spike in the number of people killed on our roads in 2009. Statistics show getting people to buckle up will help to reduce the number of lives lost on our highways.”

Of the 182 people killed in motor vehicle crashes on Nebraska roads in 2008, 114 were not wearing their seat belts. In an effort to reduce fatal crashes, troopers and dispatchers will put in overtime hours during the “Click or Ticket” campaign thanks in part to a more than $29,000 grant from NOHS.

The Nebraska State Patrol encourages motorists to partner with the Agency in efforts to reduce traffic fatalities. When safe to do so, motorists may report impaired or reckless drivers by calling the Nebraska State Patrol Highway Helpline at *55 from any cellular phone, or 1-800-525-5555 from any landline.

For information on specific enforcement activities over the “Click it or Ticket” enforcement campaign call the nearest Nebraska State Patrol Troop area office or view a calendar of NSP enforcement activities at the link below.

Troop A-Omaha/402-331-3333
HQ Troop-Lincoln/402-471-4545
Troop B- Norfolk/402-370-3456
Troop C-Grand Island/308-385-6000
Troop D-North Platte/308-385-8047
Troop E- Scottsbluff/308-632-1211

Courtesy: Nebraska State Patrol