Fatality reduction is a reachable goal

As the summer travel season winds down, I want to share with you that several Nebraska state agencies are working hard to save lives on Nebraska roads. The great news is that it’s working. Our state’s highway fatality rate is at its lowest in 60 years. Not since 1949 have fewer people died in traffic crashes on Nebraska roads.

To date 122 fatalities have been recorded in Nebraska in 2008. That number compares with 170 on this same date a year ago. This reduction in traffic deaths can be attributed to a number of factors.

The Implementation of the Nebraska Strategic Highway Safety Plan has provided a blue print for reducing the number of people killed in crashes on Nebraska roadways. The plan concentrates on the "Four Safety E’s": Education, Enforcement, Emergency Medical and Engineering.

The Nebraska Department of Roads, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Nebraska State Patrol, and Health and Human Services each play an integral part in executing strategies designed to save lives.

Through directed patrolling measures, such as its "100 Days of summer" initiative, the Nebraska State Patrol has partnered with the motoring public to reduce fatalities by seeking voluntary compliance with all traffic safety laws. The "100 Days of summer" initiative provides travelers an opportunity to log onto the Nebraska State Patrol Web site and view the agency’s special enforcement operations planned across the state. A series of public service announcement also encourages motorist to avoid crash causing behaviors, to always wear their seat belt and never drive impaired.

The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles has made grant funding available so that law enforcement agencies can implement special enforcement efforts aimed at reducing the number of fatal crashes in their communities and counties.

Statewide enforcement campaigns such as "Click It or Ticket," and "You Drink & Drive. You Lose" are instrumental in helping to get the message out that seat belts save lives and driving impaired can be deadly. While the messages may seem simple, they are vitally important. All of us have a responsibility to drive safely on the road.

Statistics indicate the enforcement is working and the messages are being heard. However, it’s significant to recognize that driving by its nature is inherently dangerous. A review of crash characteristics has found driver behavior to be a key contributing factor in over 60% of serious crashes.

The State of Nebraska has adopted a safety goal of reducing the statewide fatality rate from 1.5 fatalities per 100 million miles traveled to 1.0 fatalities per 100 million miles traveled. If the rate remains the same, we are headed for achievement of our goal by the end of 2008.

While achieving such a goal would be a major accomplishment, the biggest reward comes in knowing we are saving lives and making travel safer for those who use our state’s highways. We want our loved ones to arrive safely when travelling and every one of us plays a role in that effort.

As we approach the Labor Day holiday weekend, I applaud the effort to reduce traffic fatalities and I encourage all motorists to continue to do their part by obeying the posted speed limit, always wearing your seat belt and never driving impaired.

Dave Heineman of Fremont is governor of Nebraska. He can be reached at P.O. Box 94848, Lincoln NE 68509-4848, (402) 471-2244, fax: (402) 471-6031 or e-mail at his Web site, www.gov.state.ne.us.