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Rise in Nebraska Traffic Deaths Blamed on Complacency

roadOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska saw its highest number of traffic fatalities in seven years in 2014, and some state officials believe that driver complacency may be to blame.

225 people died last year as a result of an accident involving a vehicle, according to the Department of Roads’ Highway Safety Division. In 2007, 256 people died on state roads.

According to officials, the fatalities include 214 drivers and passengers, nine pedestrians and two bicyclists.

Nebraska’s highway safety administrator, Fred Zwonechek, said that the fatalities were frustrating because of increases in traffic safety initiatives to increase driver awareness and law enforcement have been put in place. Zwonechek said that complacency leads to unsafe practices such as drinking and driving, speeding, talking or texting on a phone, or not being alert.

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