Number of Nebraskan pedestrian deaths in traffic have increased

A recent study by a state group, looked at the number of pedestrian killed or injured in traffic accidents. The latest numbers are from 2017, and it shows the number of deaths went from 11 in 2016 to 20. We talked to Fred Zwonechek with the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety.

“The injuries over the last 12-15 years have been pretty stable injuries pedestrian crashes but the fatalities ones have been trending up for the last about 5 or 6 years so we’re seeing larger number of them,” says Fred Zwonechek Nebraska Highway Safety Administrator

But even with the increase in fatalities Nebraska as a whole is doing better than most states in the United States.

“Fortunately we don’t have many total fatalities we’re among the bottom in pedestrian fatalities among all of the states so that’s a good thing,” said Zwonechek.

The advice that Zwonechek wants to give to many Nebraskan pedestrians though is always keep in mind your safety when you are on the side of a road.

“So you really need to pay attention to what the motorists are doing and don’t assume that their going to obey the signal and treat every intersection that way,” says Zwonechek.

Another  piece of advice in today’s world is when your walking near traffic, keep your head up and not in your cell phone.