Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol removed 35 impaired drivers from the road and assisted more than 1,300 motorists during the holiday season as part of the 2-plus week national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.
In addition to the 35 drunk driving arrests, troopers issued 552 citations for speeding, 50 for driving under suspension,15 for open alcohol container,14 for no seat belt, 11 for MIP, and 6 for improper child restraint.
Troopers also performed 1,349 motorist assists during the campaign, which ran from Dec 16 through Jan 1.
State Patrol Supt Colonel John Bolduc says the number of assists was much higher than normal because “there was plenty of severe winter weather around the state and our troopers kept busy helping motorists and working to keep the roadways safe.”
Bolduc adds that “with the new year now underway, we encourage all Nebraskans to make safe driving a resolution for 2023 and beyond.”
The Nebraska Dept of Transportation Highway Safety Office again provided grants to the State Patrol and some 40 local law enforcement agencies, including the Chadron Police Dept, to help cover the overtime costs of having more officers on the streets.