Lincoln Police are putting a full court press on speeding and dangerous drivers this month. Public Information Manager Erika Thomas says they have launched several different enforcement efforts to make City streets safer.
“First out Tactical Flight Officers will be working with the Nebraska State Patrol for airborne traffic enforcement,” Thomas says. “From the air ,our officers can identify reckless drivers and coordinate with ground units.”
Thomas says the NW and SE team officers will be working to address concerns reported by residents in regards to speeding, reckless driving and other traffic-related concerns. “In the first five months of the year, the Southeast Team responded to nearly 1,200 vehicle crash reports, the most of any LPD team,” Thomas says.
LPD also says the Traffic Enforcement Unit will conduct a dedicated speed enforcement project in June and July. Officers will work overtime to focus on reducing speed-related dangers on Lincoln streets. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding is one of the most dangerous and persistent traffic violations. In 2022, speeding was a contributing factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities nationwide, claiming more than 12,000 lives.
“Traveling just ten miles per hour over the speed limit can mean the difference between a near miss and a serious crash,” Thomas says. LPD encourages all residents to be mindful of their speed, especially in neighborhoods, construction zones and areas with high pedestrian traffic.
The enforcement efforts are made possible by a grant from the Nebraska Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office.