Post Event Statistics: U Drive U Text U Pay In Kearney & Grand Island
NDOT Highway Safety Office awarded the Hall County Sheriff's Office with $4,500 funding to carry out a Selective Overtime Enforcement for the U Drive. U Text. U Pay mobilization campaign from April 1 – 8, 2024. During this campaign, deputies worked 82 hours of overtime resulting in 91 contacts. This includes 1 DUI, 1 MIP, 20 speeding citations, and 2 citations for vehicles racing.
The violation of “texting while driving” is a secondary offense in Nebraska. This means that law enforcement can not stop a vehicle when they see someone texting unless there is a primary offense occurring such as speeding. This traffic grant allowed officers to work overtime hours which allows them to focus specifically on traffic safety. While traffic enforcement is part of our daily duties, we also respond to calls for service, conduct civil services for the courts, serve warrants, ect. These grants provide additional manpower so deputies can conduct traffic enforcement without being called away for other duties.
The Kearney Police Department recently participated in the national U Drive. U Text. U Pay high-visibility enforcement campaign that ran April 1, 2024 – April 8, 2024. The campaign focused on raising awareness of the dangers of Distracted Driving in Nebraska. Officers conducted an additional 27 hours of traffic patrol specifically focused on distracted driving. During this selective enforcement there were four speeding citations issued, one arrests for Driving Under the Influence, one open container of alcohol, four fugitives were apprehended, four reckless driving citations, and two felony arrests. In total 43 citations were issued with 176 total contacts during the campaign.
While the high-visibility enforcement mobilization has concluded, Kearney Police Department wants motorists to remember the dangers of texting and distracted driving. Next time you think about checking your phone when you’re driving, remember: U Drive. U Text. U Pay. Participation in this campaign is funded through a grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety.
