Nebraska Radio Network

Nebraska News and Sports

You are here: Home / Archives for Transportation

Survey predicts year-end travel figures will top all previous records

By

The upcoming Christmas and New Year’s holidays will be the busiest for travelers in Nebraska and nationwide in nearly two decades.

Rose White, at AAA-Nebraska, says strong economic growth that’s being fueled by robust consumer spending is driving the significant demand in seasonal travel.

“More than one-third of Americans will travel this holiday season,” White says. “The record-breaking 112.5-million travelers taking to the nation’s roads, runways and rails for the year-end holidays represents a 4.4% increase over last year and the most since AAA began tracking holiday travel in 2001.”

While gasoline has been relatively expensive throughout this year, White says a recent pump price drop combined with rising disposable income is motivating more people to take to the highways.

“Nebraska has fallen to $2.18 a gallon,” White says. “That’s down nearly 30-cents compared to what it was just a month ago.” Nationwide, gas prices are averaging $2.36, almost 20-cents a gallon higher than Nebraska.

The motor club is expecting to rescue more than 960,000 motorists from various troubles over the year-end holidays.

“Dead batteries, lockouts and flat tires will be the leading reasons why they need service,” White says. “We always recommend before you hit the roadways, take your vehicle to a trusted repair facility and have them give it a checkout before you hit the road.”

The survey finds more Americans will travel by car this holiday season than ever before. The 102.1 million people expected to pack up their cars for road trips is 4.4 percent higher than last year.

Also, the 6.7 million people who will travel by air this year is the highest level since in 15 years and is 4.2 percent more than last year. As for trains, buses and cruise ships, travel across those sectors will increase by 4 percent with a total 3.7 million passengers.

Hidden costs of flying Nebraskans need to know

By

Nebraskans planning a trip over the holidays or a mid-winter break should realize that flying today has changed a lot. Rick Seaney is the founder and CEO of fareCompare.com and says there have been big changes with boarding passes. Seaney says not having a printed pass can get socked with a fine.

Seaney says, “it depends on the airline. Spirit Airlines, Frontier will charge you a fee for that, a pretty hefty one, over $20 in some cases. Most people depend on their smart phones if they travel a lot. It is always a good idea, especially if you don’t travel very often, print it off at home. They do have kiosks at the airport and most airlines, Legacy Carriers, Southwest will let you print them off or you can actually get to a gate agent but there are fewer of them there so it is harder to get that boarding pass. It is a good idea to have a paper copy just in case your phone fails.”

Then there is luggage. More people are taking carry-ons to save a few bucks checking bags. Seaney says if you are not the first 50 people boarding the plane you will most likely end up gate checking the bag. The good news is most airlines don’t charge a fee. Some airlines do have the technology to charge you on the spot so be aware of that. Make sure that your bag is within the 50 pound weight limit. Anything over that can cost you upwards of $200 to $300.

Nebraskans looking to book a flight after the holidays for a vacation can expect steady to slightly lower airfare prices in 2019. Seaney says, “Fuel prices have gone down a little bit and the economy isn’t as heated as it once was. I expect prices to be flat or down slightly next year. This year was really good to travel to Europe. The dollar was very strong. You had a bunch of ultra-low cost carries like Norwegian, Wow, Icelandic Air and Finnair that were doing cheap stuff that needed to be matched. I expect that to continue. Europe will be cheap next year and ticket prices pretty flat.”

Winter weather causes wrecks, strands motorists throughout Nebraska Sunday

By

Nebraska State Patrol photo

A severe winter storm brought snow and high winds into Nebraska on Sunday, making travel difficult, at times dangerous.

The Nebraska State Patrol says troopers responded to nearly 100 weather-related incidents on Sunday, including 20 crashes. Troopers came to the assistance of about 70 motorists.

Two major accidents on both ends of the state sent drivers and passengers to the hospital.

It could have been worse.

NSP photo

Nebraska State Patrol spokesman Cody Thomas says it appeared evident travelers had been paying attention to the weather at the end of a long Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

“We didn’t see near the traffic volume on the interstate or state highways that we would normally see on that particular Sunday and I think that is probably because people did have a plan. A lot of people made their return trip home Saturday rather than on Sunday,” Thomas tells Nebraska Radio Network.

An early Sunday morning crash near Waverly shut down the interstate between Lincoln and Omaha for about two-and-a-half hours. A westbound semi tractor-trailer jackknifed on I-80. A short time later, another semi lost control and struck the trailer of the jackknifed truck. A trooper had to pull the driver of the second truck from his cab. Medical assistance was rendered at the scene, then the truck driver was taken to a Lincoln hospital.

NSP photo

Later that afternoon, a sport utility vehicle traveling north on Highway 71 between Scottsbluff and I-80 drove off the road, soled through a snow-packed median and the southbound lanes before coming to rest on its wheels in the southbound lanes. Responders took all four in the SUV to a hospital for treatment or observance while the driver was taken by life-flight to another hospital to be treated for more serious injuries.

Thomas says Department of Transportation road crews worked ahead of the storm, but a wet snow made roads slick while strong winds reduced visibility.

“So, it was probably more of a combination of the weather happening in those moments where we did have some slick conditions, but also had low visibility so it was difficult to see just what was ahead of you,” according to Thomas.

NSP reports troopers removed 16 impaired drivers and issued more than 500 speeding tickets during its Click It or Ticket enforcement campaign over the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

 

 

State officials: buckle up to make road death toll go down (AUDIO)

By

Fatalities from traffic crashes are up this year in Nebraska, prompting state officials to remind motorists about safety steps.

Fatalities from traffic wrecks are up around four-percent this year with more multiple fatality crashes than usual.

Highway Safety Administrator Fred Zwonechek says the quickest way to lower fatalities is to increase seat belt use. Now, 86% of Nebraska motorists are buckled up. The national average is 91%.

“So, we’ve got a ways to go, but we know if we can get those numbers up, get more people to buckle up, we can reduce our fatality numbers; cut those nearly in half,” Zwonechek tells Nebraska Radio Network.

Every 1% increase in seat belt use secures 18,000 Nebraska drivers and passengers. Buckling up is more than a catch phrase. It is important, according to Zwonechek, the surest way to reduce fatalities on the road. Zwonechek points out seven out of 10 people killed in highway crashes were not wearing their seat belts.

Zwonechek says the second most important step is to cut down on the number of impaired drivers.

“Both alcohol and drugs - and/or - people under the influence of drugs or alcohol; they make up about one out of three of our fatal collisions,” according to Zwonechek.

The number of pedestrians killed in traffic crashes is up this year, with no common denominator among those fatalities, according to Zwonechek. Six people have died at railroad crossing vehicle-train collisions.

There is some good news in the statistics. Motorcycle deaths are down and as of statistics collected prior to the Thanksgiving holiday, there have been no bicycle deaths this year.

AUDIO: Brent Martin reports [:50]

Winter storm brings white out conditions to much of Nebraska

By

Blizzard conditions have caused wrecks on I-80 in western Nebraska, prompting the Nebraska State Patrol to close part of the interstate./Photo courtesy of NSP

A winter storm roared into Nebraska overnight, bringing snow and high winds, reducing visibility for travelers, and causing numerous wrecks, especially in western Nebraska.

Nearly the entire state is affected in one way or another.

The National Weather Service in North Platte has posted a winter weather advisory until noon with 40 mile per hour winds whipping snow and causing difficult driving conditions. The Nebraska State Patrol reports westbound Interstate 80 has been closed at mile marker 426 near Mahoney due to multiple wrecks.

The counties most affected by the storm are Curtis, Hayes, Lincoln, Logan, and Frontier.

Winter weather has caused numerous accidents in Nebraska according to NSP./Photo courtesy of NSP

A winter weather advisory and blizzard warning has been issued by the Hastings office of the National Weather Service. The advisory for south central Nebraska will run through early afternoon.

Blizzard conditions are reported in southeastern Nebraska by the NWS in Valley, in greater Omaha. That office has issued a winter weather advisory until six this evening for east-central and northeastern Nebraska.

The heaviest snow totals reported to NWS are in western and central Nebraska, as much as five inches. North Platte and Grand Island reported three inches of snow. Lesser amounts were reported in Omaha and Lincoln. NWS expects the heaviest snowfall about the Nebraska-Kansas border, as much as eight to 14 inches with strong winds.

For road conditions, got to Nebraska 511 by clicking here.

 

 

Best flight deals of the year for Nebraskans is Travel Deal Tuesday

By

Nebraskans surprising their families with a travel destination as a holiday gift should hold off on buying those tickets until Travel Deal Tuesday on November 27th. Liana Corwin is a travel and consumer trends expert and says more flights will be discounted that day than on Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined.

Corwin says, “Black Friday and Cyber Monday are known more for physical goods. Airlines historically have set airfares deals this time of the year because most people have booked their travel through the end of the year by Thanksgiving so they are trying to incentivize travelers a little bit more to fill their planes outside of Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year’s. I think they are picking up on the trends of these major shopping holidays but trying to stay away from a day that is already crowded by physical goods.”

Corwin says the best deals will be on international flights. Flyers may be able to save up to 41% on tickets to London, 32% to Paris, 36% to Barcelona and up to 32% for Hong Kong. Domestic flights will also be discounted by 25% to 35% and that includes major destinations like New York City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Orlando.

Troopers out in force, ready to help motorists this long Thanksgiving weekend

By

Nebraska State Patrol troopers are out in force this long Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

They not only will be looking to enforce state traffic laws, they will be looking to help motorists; motorists who may need help as the forecast calls for potential winter weather later in the weekend.

“Thanksgiving brings some of the busiest travel days of the year,” Nebraska State Patrol Superintendent John Bolduc said in a written statement released by NSP, “Our troopers are prepared not only to enforce Nebraska’s traffic safety laws, but also to help motorists who need assistance.”

NSP says any motorists who need assistance should call the NSP Highway Helpline at *55 from any cell phone. The public can also use *55 to get a direct connection to NSP dispatch to report impaired or reckless drivers.

AAA expects the higher volume of Thanksgiving traffic since 2005 this year; 48.5 million people on the roads.

NSP advises motorists to keep close tabs on the weather forecast and road conditions.

You can access Nebraska 511, Nebraska’s Advanced Traveler Information System, online by clicking here or by phone by dialing 5-1-1. Nebraska 511 also has a smartphone app.

“Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends,” said Bolduc. “With law enforcement and the public working together, we can make sure everyone arrives at their destination safely and all the seats at the table are filled.”

 

 

 

Be careful out there: heavy traffic expected this Thanksgiving holiday weekend (AUDIO)

By

Nebraska Dept. of Transportation photo

National projections expect heavy traffic this long Thanksgiving holiday weekend and a Nebraska official urges travelers to take their time and be safe.

Safety starts before the trip begins.

Nebraska Highway Safety Administrator Fred Zwonechek says a little preparation prior to the trip can help a great deal. He says drivers need to get plenty of rest before a trip and they also need to give themselves enough time to travel to their destination without being in a hurry. Buckle up, travel is expected to be heavy.

“You certainly want to be alert. Put the phone down. Eliminate the distractions from your passengers. Your passengers can certainly help you by observing other drivers and alert you to something that might be coming up,” Zwonechek tells Nebraska Radio Network.

Zwonechek reminds motorists to be on the lookout for deer, which can dart from anywhere this time of year, but are especially active at dawn and dusk.

Nebraska will be emphasizing seat belt safety during the “Click It or Ticket” campaign which runs through Sunday.

An alarming statistic comes from the National Highway Safety Administration, which reports that from 2012-2016 the Thanksgiving holiday recorded more alcohol-related fatalities than any other holiday.

Zwonechek advises to cut back drinking and increase seat belt use.

“Pay attention. Do all the right things and everybody can get home safely.”

AUDIO: Brent Martin reports [:45]

 

 

Beware as busy travel week coincides with worsening flu season

By

Many Nebraskans will be headed to the airport this week for Thanksgiving trips and some forecasts predict this flu season will be more severe than last year.

Dr. Deborah Mulligan, Chief Medical Affairs Officer of telehealth provider MDLive, says the convergence of flu season and holiday travel season increases your chances of getting sick, especially for Nebraskans who will be spending time on a plane.

Dr. Mulligan says, “What we learned from one study, by the Journal of the American Medical Association, is that 20% of plane passengers surveyed reported respiratory infections within five to seven days of flying.”

While many frequent fliers fear being seated next to sick strangers, Mulligan says air travel is fraught with chances for catching a bug.

“Any largely-crowded area is susceptible to spreading viruses,” Mulligan says, “security lines, flight gates and boarding procedures all present transmission opportunities.”

For Nebraskans who do get sick but who don’t have time to visit the doctor’s office, telehealth providers offer a welcome alternative.

Rich Berner, the CEO of MDLive, says online doctor visits streamline the process for patients while not overloading clinics and hospitals during the busy flu season.

“The beauty of MDLive service is not only does it provide a great experience for consumers, it’s much more convenient providing care the way they want it when they want it, but it also helps health systems.”

Similar virtual systems like Teladoc enable people to reach a physician for basic consultations through online video, telephone or mobile app. Virtual visits may be as low as $25 and they’re often covered by insurance.

 

As gas prices fall, prediction calls for busiest Thanksgiving travel holiday in years

By

Whatever the weather, Nebraska’s highways will be humming with heavy traffic next week as people head off to be with loved ones and to share a Thanksgiving feast.

Nick Jarmusz, spokesman for AAA-Nebraska, says they’re forecasting a near-five percent boost in travel for the long holiday weekend, what promises to be the busiest Thanksgiving since 2005.

“Building off of what’s really been a big year for travel, throughout the summer and now heading into these year-end holidays,” Jarmusz says, “about 54.3 million Americans are going to be taking a trip of 50 miles or more from home at some point between Wednesday and Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend.”

Gasoline prices have dipped substantially in recent weeks, which is welcome news before Nebraskans fill up their tanks.

“Gas prices are certainly a nice bonus for the folks who are going to be traveling, especially the 48.5 million that are going to be traveling by car, but that’s not really the reason that they’re making the trip,” Jarmusz says. “Americans love to go home for the holidays. They want to visit family and friends and we know if they have the means to do it, they will.”

Consumers have plenty for which to be thankful this holiday season, including higher wages, more disposable income and rising levels of household wealth, Jarmusz says. Plus, those lower prices at the pump.

“In Nebraska, we’re looking at statewide gas price averages of $2.58,” Jarmusz says. “That’s down 28-cents from where we were at this time last month and it’s only two-cents off from where we were at this time last year.”

In most cases, he says the best days to travel will be Thanksgiving Day, Friday or Saturday. Drivers will likely see increased travel times on Sunday, Jarmusz says, as most holiday travelers will be making their way home after the long weekend.