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| JANUARY DEADLY FOR NEBRASKA DRIVERS John Nixon 2012 is off to a deadly start on Nebraska roadways, with 19 people killed in the first month of the New Year. The 19 fatalities in 2012, compares with eight for the same time period in 2011. Of the 19 people killed, 15 were not wearing a seat belt. Nine of the fatal crashes involved rollovers in which the person killed was ejected or partially ejected from the vehicle. Nebraska State Patrol Superintendent, Colonel David Sankey said It’s hard to explain the increase in fatalities, although our mild weather may be a contributing factor. According to statistics from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for people between the ages of five and 34. One in every 26 licensed drivers in Nebraska will be involved in a motor vehicle collision each year. The use of seat belts cuts the risk of death or serious injury in a crash by up to 50%. In 2011 Nebraska recorded 180 fatalities the second lowest fatality rate since 1945 when 166 people were killed on Nebraska roads. WINTER STORM WATCH ISSUED Matthew Leaf The first major winter storm of the season is bearing down on the area this weekend. A winter storm watch is in effect for southeast Nebraska from this (Friday) evening through Saturday evening. The National Weather Service says the rain will gradually change over to snow across the area early Saturday morning, with snow expected through much of the day Saturday. The heaviest snowfall is forecast to fall Saturday morning into the afternoon. Snow accumulation of four to seven inches is expected in southeast Nebraska, with higher amounts to the north along the Interstate 80 corridor. However, several more inches of snow could fall if the changeover from rain starts earlier. The weather service cautions that travel could become difficult over the region Saturday morning. The combination of snow and winds of 15-to-30 miles per hour will reduce visibilities to a half mile or less at times. |
