MADISON, NEBRASKA — Local law enforcement officers for Madison County Sheriff Department issued 13 citations during the national U Drive. U Text. U Pay. Madison County Sheriff Department also conducted 48 traffic stops and had 1 arrest for DUI 2nd and 1 possession of marijuana charge during the high-visibility enforcement campaign that ran April 4-10. The campaign aimed to raise awareness of the dangers of Distracted Driving in Nebraska. 

There were 3,924 drivers involved in distracted driving crashes in Nebraska in 2020. 233 people lost their lives in traffic crashes and 19 of those fatalities were due to a distracted driving crash. 7,386 Nebraskan’s were seriously injured in a distracted driving crash in the past five years.

 “We are seeing far too many injuries and deaths associated with texting, messaging, and other forms of distracted driving,” said Sheriff Todd Volk “This campaign allowed us to really focus on this issue and to let drivers know that these behaviors are dangerous, illegal, and will not be tolerated. The bottom line is this: Drivers’ hands should be on the wheel, their eyes should be on the road, and their concentration on the task of driving — always.” 

While the high-visibility enforcement mobilization is over for now, Madison County Sheriff Department wants motorists to remember the dangers of texting and distracted driving beyond the enforcement effort. Next time you think about checking your phone when you’re driving, remember: U Drive. U Text. U Pay.

For more information, visit www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/distracted-driving.

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