Road projects announcement follows deadliest month on Nebraska roadways
OMAHA, Nebraska (July 10, 2018) - Nebraska's Department of Transportation (NDOT) recently announced $600 million worth of road improvement projects statewide slated for this fiscal year, which will hopefully help curb the recent rise in car accidents in Nebraska, according to Omaha auto accident attorney Jason G. Ausman of Ausman Law Firm, PC, LLO.
"Roads need to be properly maintained throughout the state in order to prevent serious car accidents in Nebraska," Ausman said. "Poor road conditions often contribute to motor vehicle accidents. That's why our law firm applauds the state for taking steps to improve the infrastructure of our road system in the Cornhusker State."
NDOT Director Kyle Schneweis recently announced the state's $600 million road improvement plan for Fiscal Year 2018-2019, which began on July 1, according to the Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News. The road improvement projects cover a wide range - from paving projects on Nebraska 64 in Omaha to reconstructing highways throughout the state.
The recent announcement comes on the heels of a record number of car accident fatalities in Nebraska. Mark Segerstrom, project coordinator for the Nebraska Safety Council, tweeted that this past May was the deadliest month on Nebraska roadways since June 2016. He noted that 28 people were killed in traffic fatalities in Nebraska in May, including 5 motorcycle fatalities and 2 pedestrian fatalities. In June 2016, there were 29 traffic fatalities statewide.
In addition, the number of motor vehicle accidents in Nebraska has steadily been on the rise for the past 11 years, according to statistics compiled by the Nebraska Department of Transportation. In 2016, the most recent year for complete motor vehicle accident statistics for Nebraska, there were 34,890 accidents resulting in 17,962 injuries. These figures are the highest since 2007, when there were 35,875 accidents and 18,983 injuries statewide.
"Motor vehicle accidents are a serious problem in Nebraska," Ausman said. "And the problem continues to get worse every year. From distracted drivers to speeding drivers, people everywhere face greater risks on the road. This trend needs to stop. And the state's road improvement projects this fiscal year are a step in the right direction."
Attorney Jason G. Ausman is the founder of Ausman Law Firm, PC, LLO, of Omaha, Nebraska. He has represented many victims of car accidents in Omaha and throughout Nebraska.