April Safety Month

 

Warmer weather brings an increase in road activity—from construction crews working to improve Nebraska’s highways to cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists taking advantage of the spring season. With this uptick in activity, it’s more important than ever for all road users to stay alert and practice safe habits.  Throughout April, NDOT will highlight safety measures aimed at protecting drivers and road workers, while promoting campaigns that educate the public on safe driving habits. Traffic crashes cause more than 230 fatalities and 15,000 injuries in Nebraska each year, according to data from the NDOT’s Highway Safety Office, with 94% of crashes linked to driver behavior.  

 

 

As part of its ongoing efforts, the NDOT will: 

 

Share messages about the dangers of distracted and impaired driving, pedestrian safety, and work zone safety. Find NDOT @nebraskadot on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. 

 

Partner with the National Safety Council, Nebraska Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and other safety organizations to amplify safety messages statewide.

 

Collaborate with law enforcement to increase awareness and enforce traffic laws, especially in work zones and high-risk areas.

 

Encourage NDOT employees to support work zone safety by wearing orange on Go Orange Day, April 23, and sharing with friends and family.

 

 

Be part of the safety solution! 

 

Buckle up. Every trip, every time. Seat belts improve survival rates by 45%, yet Nebraska’s seat belt usage rate was just 77.3%—well below the national average of 91.9%. 

 

Avoid all distractions. Eating, adjusting the radio, using navigation, or talking to passengers can take your focus off the road. Stay alert and keep your attention where it belongs—on driving. In 2023, distracted driving contributed to 1,181 crashes in Nebraska, resulting in 351 injuries and 8 fatalities. 

 

Put the phone down. Texting while driving is a secondary offense in Nebraska, with fines starting at $200. Texting takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds—enough time to travel a football field at 55 mph. 

 

Watch for pedestrians and cyclists. Always yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and give cyclists plenty of space. 

 

Slow down in work zones. In 2023, Nebraska had 321 work zone crashes, resulting in 87 injuries and 3 fatalities. Follow speed limits, stay alert, and be ready to stop or shift lanes. Rear-end collisions, often caused by following too closely or being distracted, are among the most common types of crashes in work zones. 

 

Advocate for safer roads. Support proposed legislation that enhances work zone safety, improves infrastructure, and increases penalties for distracted and reckless driving.  

 

Plan ahead! Check 511.nebraska.gov for road conditions. Rain, fog and changing weather require extra caution. 

 

 

 

Graphics & Handouts

 

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