Two years ago, Nebraska had the lowest per-capita fatality rate for pedestrians in the country with just 13.
But those numbers are headed in the wrong direction. Last year, the state had 22 pedestrian deaths. This year, thanks to a recent rash of fatalities, there have already been 27.
That’s a nearly 108% increase since 2023 and the most in one year since at least 1992, which is as far back as Nebraska Department of Transportation records go.
This increase has gotten the attention of Nebraskans looking to get around on foot.
“We're definitely very concerned,” said Bike Walk Nebraska’s executive director, Julie Harris. “These statistics, we monitor them daily in our office, and they're definitely going in the wrong direction.”
Bike Walk Nebraska is a nonprofit organization based out of Omaha whose mission is to increase safety for bicycling and walking in the state.
“That just makes people less likely to get out and walk and bike, and that just increases the amount of traffic,” Harris said.
Lincoln has seen six pedestrian fatalities this year, including two in the past two weeks.
Erika Thomas, public information officer for the Lincoln Police Department, said each case has been different in its own way, noting no discernible patterns in the Lincoln accidents.
In Omaha this year, there have been nine pedestrian deaths, including two in the past week. The Omaha Police Department investigates each accident.
Lt. Daniel Flynn with the Omaha Police Department noted the two most recent accidents were hit and runs.
“When it comes time to determine on charges, we'll run it past the county attorney or city prosecutor,” Flynn said. “If you strike a pedestrian, you cause serious injury or a fatality and you leave the scene, which we've had a decent amount recently, then yeah, you're going to get charged.”
There are actions both drivers and pedestrians can take to try to increase safety and reduce accidents.
As the days continue to get shorter, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users can wear brighter colors and reflective clothing to increase their visibility.
“We always encourage drivers behind the wheel to avoid any distractions,” Thomas said.
Distractions could include phone usage, adjusting the radio and more.
“The advice we give [drivers] all the time is, take your time,” Flynn said.
“Those couple extra seconds, or trying to beat the light, are not worth someone's life,” Thomas said.