Omaha looks at dangerous roads as Vision Zero continues

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – For the second time, Nebraskans took part in a day of reflection to commemorate those killed in traffic accidents.

“It is our shared responsibility to be better drivers and pay more attention.”

So far this year, 221 people have died on Nebraska roads. They were all remembered during a ceremony on Thursday.

National Safety Council experts say traffic crashes are the leading cause of preventable deaths in Nebraska.

In 2023, the The Omaha City Council approved this the Vision zero plan aimed at reducing traffic fatalities in the city to zero. Mayor Jean Stothert says Omaha still has a long way to go.

“The number of traffic fatalities and serious injuries in crashes has increased at an alarming rate,” she said Thursday. “This year the loss in Omaha is great: more than three times as many homicides are traffic fatalities in the city of Omaha.”

That is 41 candles – a number that the mayor says is ‘unacceptable’.

“And some of them – when you look back at what happened – are just terrible. Things happen at 2 and 3 in the morning; traffic speeds up to 270 kilometers per hour; people drunk at 2am with kids in the car. We had one with a one day old baby! I mean, these are just unacceptable; So this is something that is very important and a priority for me,” she said.

Stothert said some safety improvements have already been made, and more are on the way.

“Roundabouts, for example, are something I really support – and that applies to us too Public Works Departmentshe said.

The mayor said such traffic calming devices reduce two main causes of traffic accidents: red light running and speed.

Stothert said new road projects in the city include improved safety requirements – for vehicles and pedestrians.

The Omaha Police Department also continually works to keep our streets safe.

“We have selective enforcement units that go out and conduct operations,” OPD Lt. Danny Flynn told 6 News. “We have subsidies all the time: ‘Click-It Ticket’ subsidies, ‘You drink, you drive, you lose’ subsidies. As a department, our selective units are active all month long. a joint one with NSP, Douglas County – I’m just trying to make sure people understand that we’re out there doing our job. And if you break the law, you will get a fine for it.”

Federal funding is also used to study high-risk corridors:

Ames Avenue, from Florence Boulevard to 72nd Street
Cuming Street/NW Radial Highway/Military Avenue, between 27th and 72nd streets
downtown, from the Missouri River to Saddle Creek Road, from Cuming streets to Leavenworth
West Maple Road from Interstate 680 to Waterloo

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Check the First Alert 6 traffic blog for the latest updates.