By Chris Mueller, Des Moines Register
Driver walks away after dead tree falls on her car: A driver in Pennsylvania walked away seemingly unhurt after a dead tree fell straight onto her car during traffic.
Nebraska has long lagged behind other states in seat belt use, with rates consistently lower than the national average.
In 2024, the state’s seat belt use rate was 80.2%, up from 77.3% the year before, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation. However, the national rate was 91.2% in 2024, and Nebraska’s rate was 85.9% as recently as 2017.
Nebraska’s seat belt use rate of 77.3% in 2023, the most recent year with available data, ranked 49th out of the 50 states, a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report says.
Do you have to wear a seat belt in Nebraska?
The law in Nebraska requires seat belts to be worn by each front-seat occupant in the vehicle and all children between 6 and 18 years old. It’s a secondary law, which means it’s only enforced if the driver is cited or charged for another traffic violation or some other offense. The penalty is a $25 fine.
How many traffic deaths are there in Nebraska?
A total of 251 people died in traffic crashes last year in Nebraska, up from 227 in 2023, according to a news release from the state Department of Transportation. Of the 194 vehicle occupants who died in 2024, only 56 were using seatbelts.
What states have the highest rates of seat belt use?
These states had the highest rates of seat belt use in 2023.
- Hawaii: 98.4%
- Oregon: 97%
- Iowa: 96.9%
- California: 96.2%
- Alaska: 95.2%
What states have the lowest rates of seat belt use?
These states had the lowest rates of seat belt use in 2023.
- Virginia: 73.2%
- Nebraska: 77.3%
- New Hampshire: 77.9%
- North Dakota: 78.5%
- Arkansas: 79.7%
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