‘It just hasn’t stopped’: Patrol says excessive speeding in Nebraska keeps getting worse

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Law enforcement says that since the pandemic, speeding in Nebraska has hit the gas.

This July, state troopers stopped over 600 for people going 90 mph and above.

“Last month in July, we had more drivers ticketed for 100 mph-plus than any month in the past three years,” Trooper Jeff Rutan said. “So it’s been a problem.”

In 2023, the patrol has pulled over 85 people on average each month for hitting speeds of 100 mph or above.

In July, there was nearly 40% more.

Troopers stopped 118 drivers for going over 100 mph.

And they issued another 505 citations for people driving between 90 and 99 mph.

The fastest speed caught this year was 153 mph on the interstate right outside of Lincoln.

“We are concerned,” Rutan said. “Anytime you have someone driving that fast or that much more than the speed limit, it creates some real problems. Not only for that driver, but for everyone else on the road. And we’re seeing it not only on the interstate, but on the highways and even in town, which is even more dangerous.”

Why are these numbers so high?

The roads are usually busier during the summer months, but Rutan said the numbers have been steadily rising for a while now, and officials aren’t totally sure why.

“Can’t really put our finger on it,” he said. “I feel like it started about three years ago with COVID. We had a lot of drivers getting ticketed for 100-plus and it just hasn’t stopped.”

The fines for going over 100 mph depend on what the speed limit is, but if you’re on the interstate, it could cost you over $300 for the ticket, and even more if you have to go to court.

And that might not be the only cost.

“Nationally, we see that about one out of every three fatal crashes involves a speeding driver,” Rutan said.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that speeding-related deaths have increased nationwide in the past few years.

That’s why the state patrol is making an effort to put a stop to this before it gets worse.

“Anytime you’re driving that fast, you’re endangering everyone else on the road: your family and friends, your neighbors and co-workers,” Rutan said. “And we just want everyone to get to their destination safely.”