Did you know that Nebraska traffic fatalities are the lowest they have been since 1945? That’s the good news. Unfortunately, it’s not all good news when we consider the numbers for driving under the influence and underage drinking.
Nationwide, over half of youth in grades 6-12 report that they drank alcohol at home during the past year and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that excessive alcohol use causes 4,554 underage deaths each year (www.camy.org).
“In Nebraska, one out of three traffic deaths over the last decade has been alcohol related or involved drunk drivers,” said Fred Zwonechek, head of Nebraska Office of Highway Safety. That’s consistent with numbers for our nation as a whole.
Partners for Otoe County (P4OC), is one of 16 community coalitions in Nebraska to receive a Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant (SPF SIG) from the Nebraska Partners in Prevention and is taking action to effect positive change. After completing a local community assessment, Partners for Otoe County chose impaired driving as one of its prevention priorities . Partners for Otoe County is taking action to reduce incidents of alcohol-impaired driving in drivers of all ages through public policy change, offering the TiPS Responsible Beverage Server Training for liquor license holders, conducting high-visibility enforcement operations, and educating the public.
Nebraska City Police take this initiative seriously and they are successful with their highly visibility enforcement of Driving Under the Influence (DUI). They received the Adult DUI Award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Nebraska in May, 2010. MADD officials said, “The Nebraska City Police Department demonstrates incredible determination of DUI enforcement in 2009. Their goal for 2009 was to set a Zero Tolerance standard to impaired driving. This goal resulted in a 500% increase in DUI arrests compared to 2008.” Chief Dave Lacy said, “A DUI charge can be a 100% avoidable offense. Society recognizes this detrimental action and supports actions taken for DUI enforcement as well as stronger penalties for DUI .”
MADD-Tie One On For Safety
First Lady Sally Ganem, local law enforcement officers and MADD Nebraska 
representatives were special guests at PRiDE’s “Tie One On For Safety” kickoff 12/10/10.
The Nebraska City Police Department, Otoe County Sheriff, and the Nebraska State Patrol all participated in the “You Drink and Drive. You Lose.” special enforcement operation funded by the Office of Highway Safety during December and January. Although there were arrests for driving under the influence, there were thankfully no alcohol related crashes with injuries or fatalities in Otoe County over the holidays.
The media campaign to Drive Sober in Otoe County includes:
* message billboards (three billboards posted for 9 months each) at entrances to Nebraska City;
* radio announcements with Brad Paisley’s voiceover airing on KNCY radio (Developed by MADD);
* “Take a Stand Between Your Friend and Wheel” report card inserts at Palmyra-Bennett Schools (developed by SE NE Coalition)
* During the “Tie One on For Safety” campaign, MADD Nebraska and the Nebraska City High School PRiDE group hosted a kickoff in Nebraska City. Students tied red ribbons on motor vehicles and placed stickers on popcorn bags at ball games during December and January to remind people not to drink and drive.
Savannah Kelley, NCHS junior and third year member of PRiDE Leadership participated in tying red ribbons on vehicles to share the message. Kelley said, “Kids don’t get it! A drunken driving accident impacts the whole community. It’s not just the people in the cars. It also impacts friends, relatives, neighbors, EMT’s, doctors, nurses, bosses and teachers, too.”
