New Fines for Speeding and Moving Over in Traffic

On Wednesday, Nebraska will implement changes to its road laws following the passage of Legislative Bill 530 earlier this year. The bill includes an expansion of the state’s existing move-over law.

Previously, Nebraska’s move-over law applied only to emergency and roadside assistance vehicles. LB 530 now requires drivers to slow down and move over when approaching any stopped vehicle or vulnerable road users on the highway shoulder.

Nebraska drivers may be familiar with incremental fines for speeding violations. For the first time since 1996, these fines are increasing substantiality : violations of 1–5 mph over the limit will now cost $50 (up from $10), the highest speeding violations face the steepest increases: 21–35 mph over the limit will cost $300 (up from $200), and speeds of 36 mph or more will incur a $400 ticket (up from $300).

Other provisions in LB 530 include reckless driving charges for traveling twice the posted speed limit, motor vehicle homicide being classified as a Class IV felony, and the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) gaining authority to temporarily reduce speed limits due to weather, emergencies, or traffic conditions.

NDOT traffic engineers are developing and installing signage to reflect the updated move-over law going into effect on Wednesday.