The Summerland Advocate-Messenger - Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community

As traffic volume slowly rises, Nebraska State Patrol troopers are seeing a dramatic increase in excessive speeding. In two months since the first directed health measures were issued, troopers have cited more than 200 motorists for driving more than 100 miles per hour.

Between March 19 and May 18, NSP troopers issued 204 speeding citations for drivers traveling at more than 100 miles per hour. Those citations have been issued across 26 different Nebraska counties. During the same two-month time period in 2019, troopers issued 101 such citations.

“The increase in excessive speeding has been dramatic,” said Colonel John Bolduc, superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol.

In the first 35 days since the first DHMs were issued, troopers issued 100 citations for speeding at 100 miles per hour of more. It only took 25 days for troopers to find the next 100 such speeding violations.

So far in May, troopers have cited 80 speeders for traveling more than 100 miles per hour. The most in any full month last year was 65, in May 2019.

“May is traditionally the start of the summer driving season and, even though circumstances are different this year, we expect to see traffic volume continue to increase across the state,” said Bolduc.

“We encourage all motorists to voluntarily comply with traffic safety laws.”

While Nebraska continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, troopers remain focused on the mission of keeping Nebraska roads safe. NSP launched the annual spring “Click It or Ticket” campaign Monday and will kick-off the annual 100 days of summer initiative later this month.