State backs speed enforcement
Otoe County ranks in state's top 10 for alcohol and speed rates in traffic crashes
By News Channel NebraskaNEBRASKA CITY – The Nebraska Department of Transportation has awarded a safety grant to Nebraska City police in support of a mobile radar unit.
William Kovarik of the state Highway Safety Office said the $1,200 grant will provide advanced speed detection equipment to focus on problematic traffic areas throughout Nebraska City.
Kovarik said technology holds immense promise when it comes to mitigating human error. He said the equipment is vital in helping agencies to more effectively target reckless drivers and reduce speed-related traffic crashes.
The state Transportation Department lists priority counties based on crash rate data per 100 million miles. The top five priorities are Adams, Box Butte, Buffalo, Butler and Cass counties.
Cass County had an alcohol rate of 1.39 and a speed rate of 2.09.
Otoe County is 17th on the list overall with an alcohol rate of 2.53 and a speed rate of 2.17, both higher than the statewide rates. The statewide alcohol rate is 2.01 and the speed rate is 1.22.
The highest speed rate in the state in Dawes County with 4.35. The highest alcohol rate is in Saline County with 3.31.