Omaha, Nebraska is one of the most famous cities in the Midwest — many people think of it as the home of the Little League World Series. Those who understand a bit more about Omaha recognize the city for being the economic powerhouse that it is – it’s home to some of the largest companies on the planet. For this reason, there are plenty of full-time residents in Omaha. If you live in the city, you probably have a vehicle that you have to pay to insure. If you’re look for ways to save money, there are always better quotes on the market.

Our company aims to help our readers find the most competitive anonymous auto insurance quote on the market. We also provide resources for those who don’t understand the auto insurance industry. In addition, we have a car insurance cost calculator and city-specific pages that help you navigate driving in local areas. If you want to stay safe on the roads in Omaha, make sure to check our content below!

Omaha: Driving Conditions in the City

While the Midwest isn’t always associated with busy roads, Omaha can get quite packed during peak hours. It’s not nearly as bad as many other cities in the country, but you should still be wary of congestion. Make sure to keep an eye on traffic reports – you don’t want to get caught up in a stop-start situation if you don’t have to.

Another thing that many people don’t realize is how brutal winters can be in Omaha. If you want to drive as safely as possible, you need to understand that the roads can get extremely icy. Snow and sleet can make it next to impossible to drive at certain times of the year. If the weather is cold, you need to pay attention to local warnings and forecasts. This is especially true for those who have never driven in these types of conditions.

Driving Safely in Omaha, Nebraska

One of the things that makes the United States unique is the fact that each state has its own rules and regulations. In addition, many local counties and cities have their own rules as well. This means that you have to be acutely aware of different laws if you want to be a responsible driver in Omaha. In this section of our article, we’re going to take a look at these more specific road rules and laws.

Understanding these laws can keep you safe on the roads and help you avoid traffic tickets and fines. In addition, insurance companies prefer customers with clean records. Check the top laws out below!

Phone/Handheld Laws in Omaha

In the state of Nebraska, you are not allowed to ‘read, write, or send’ any form of communication while driving. This means that it is illegal to read or send text messages. If you are caught, you may receive a substantial fine on your first offense. While this ban is not extended to other forms of phone use, such as speaking on the phone, it is important to understand the dangers of distracted driving. You might not realize it, but your ability to drive drastically decreases when you are using your phone for any purpose.

Seatbelt and Car Seat Laws in Omaha

In the state of Nebraska, all people travelling in a vehicle must wear a seat belt. It doesn’t matter how old you are or where you are seated in a vehicle. State law enforcement understands how important it is for passengers and drivers to be safely secured.

In terms of car seats, children under the age of six must be secured in a car seat that meets appropriate standards for their size. Those under the age of eight, but over the age of six, need to be strapped in a booster seat. Failing to secure a child in a booster seat or car seat can result in serious consequences from law enforcement.

Helmet Laws in Omaha

While there have been recent efforts to remove restrictions on helmets for motorcycle drivers over the age of 21, they have been unsuccessful for the time being. This means that all passengers and drivers on a motorcycle must wear a helmet at all times. While you might find this an inconvenience, it can drastically improve your ability to survive an accident while on your motorcycle.

Alcohol and Drug Laws (Driving)

In the state of Nebraska, the BAC content limit for a DUI is .08 – this is reduced to .04 if you are operating a commercial vehicle. In addition, it’s reduced to .02 if you are under the age of 21 – make sure not to drink any alcohol if you are underage and plan on driving.

If you are caught in Nebraska, you will face strict punishments. Most first time offenders receive up to 60 days in jail, $500 in fines, and up to six months of license suspension. When you are able to drive again you may have to have a SR22 insurance policy which will be more expensive than a normal policy. In addition, courts in Nebraska will look back at issues on your record from the past 12 years while making any punishment decisions. If you’re a repeat offender, punishments will be harder.

Omaha Statistics

Nebraska might have a reputation for being a rural and safe state, but accidents still happen on the roads. In 2017, there were 34,999 total accidents in Nebraska. On top of this, there were over 220 fatalities in the state from these accidents. Over 17,000 people were injured. Make sure to stay safe on the roads while driving in Omaha and the surrounding areas.

Verdict

It can be hard to reduce all of your risks on the road, but it’s important to ensure you don’t get left with any large costs if an accident occurs. Choosing the right insurance company can provide you with cheap car insurance in Nebraska. If you want to save money in the long run, make sure to check out some of the companies that we suggest.

In addition to our partner companies, we also have some great resources on our website for those looking for additional information on the auto insurance industry. Make sure to check average car insurance rates by state for example.