In the first five months, 100 people die on Nebraska roads

If the trend of the first five months continues, Nebraska is on track for one of the deadliest years on the state’s roads in recent history.

The state Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Office says 22 people died in crashes on state highways, state highways and local roads last month, bringing the total number of fatalities to 100.

That compares with 75 traffic fatalities in the first five months of 2023, and an average of 80 deaths on Nebraska roads during the same period over the past four years.

Only 17 of the 81 occupants killed this year were wearing seat belts.