Distracted Driving Awareness
Distracted driving shows up everywhere now. Phones. Screens. Notifications. It’s easy to think a quick glance won’t matter. It does.
Since 2010, distracted drivers in Nebraska have been involved in more than 40,000 crashes, leading to over 14,000 injuries and 119 deaths (NDOT, 2021). When attention splits between driving and a phone, reaction time slows. Depth perception drops. So does awareness of what’s happening around the vehicle. That’s when crashes happen.
What the data shows
- Distracted driving caused 12% of Nebraska traffic crashes in 2019 (NDOT, 2021)
- Rear-end crashes have increased 21.7% since 2011 (NDOT, 2021)
- Distracted-related crashes are up 31.7% since 2010 (NDOT, 2020)
- Teens have been involved in 387 cell phone-related crashes since 2010 (NDOT, 2020)
- Hands-free driving still reduces performance:
- 37% drop in depth perception and spatial awareness
- 10% slower reaction time
Hands-free is not risk-free
Even when hands are off the phone, the brain is still divided. That matters more than most people realize.
Free distracted driving resources from NSCN
Our Driving Concern works with employers, schools, and community groups to reduce distracted driving through education, outreach, and advocacy.
It provides free tools you can actually use:
- Posters and safety messages
- Newsletters and talking points
- Safety huddles for teams
- Toolkits for workplace policies on cell phone use and seat belts
They also offer:
- Free traffic safety presentations covering distracted, impaired, aggressive, drowsy driving, and seat belt safety
- Workplace policy development support
- Seatbelt Safety Honor Roll Award Program
Nebraska distracted driving law
Nebraska law prohibits reading, typing, or sending messages on a handheld device while driving. Penalties include fines and license points. There are limited exceptions for emergency and official duties, but routine phone use while driving is not allowed.
One clear message
No driver should use a cell phone while driving. This includes reading, writing or sending text or electronic messages, surfing the web, talking on a handsfree or hand held device and voice to text. All drivers should turn off cell phones while operating a motor vehicle.
A reminder that it is illegal to text and drive.
Nebraska's Revised Statute 60-6,179.01
Use of handheld wireless communication device; prohibited acts; enforcement; violation; penalty.
(1) This section does not apply to an operator of a commercial motor vehicle if section 60-6,179.02 applies.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section, no person shall use a handheld wireless communication device to read a written communication, manually type a written communication, or send a written communication while operating a motor vehicle which is in motion.
(3) The prohibition in subsection (2) of this section does not apply to:
(a) A person performing his or her official duties as a law enforcement officer, a firefighter, an ambulance driver, or an emergency medical technician; or
(b) A person operating a motor vehicle in an emergency situation.
(4) Enforcement of this section by state or local law enforcement agencies shall be accomplished only as a secondary action when a driver of a motor vehicle has been cited or charged with a traffic violation or some other offense.
(5) Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a traffic infraction. Any person who is found guilty of a traffic infraction under this section shall be assessed points on his or her motor vehicle operator’s license pursuant to section 60-4,182 and shall be fined:
(a) Two hundred dollars for the first offense;
(b) Three hundred dollars for a second offense; and
(c) Five hundred dollars for a third and subsequent offense.
(6) For purposes of this section:
(a) Commercial motor vehicle has the same meaning as in section 75-362;
(b)(i) Handheld wireless communication device means any device that provides for written communication between two or more parties and is capable of receiving, displaying, or transmitting written communication.
(ii) Handheld wireless communication device includes, but is not limited to, a mobile or cellular telephone, a text messaging device, a personal digital assistant, a pager, or a laptop computer.
(iii) Handheld wireless communication device does not include an electronic device that is part of the motor vehicle or permanently attached to the motor vehicle or a handsfree wireless
communication device; and
(c) Written communication includes, but is not limited to, a text message, an instant message, electronic mail, and Internet web sites.
Make a difference in a fun way
Take Action Against Distraction PSA Contest
The Public Service Announcement (PSA) video contest gave Nebraska high school students the chance to make a real impact by promoting messages about distracted driving that could influence their classmates, schools, and communities across the state.
Distracted Driving Affected Me Campaign
Distracted driving is a dangerous activity and is prevalent on Nebraska’s roadways. In Nebraska there were 4,699 distracted driving crashes with 1,546 injuries and 19 fatalities in 2017. Nationally, 3,450 people were killed in distracted driving crashes in 2015.