7 Nebraska Traffic Laws Drivers Commonly Ignore

Nebraska drivers often ignore important rules of the road, such as yielding when turning left and slower traffic keeping right.

Most drivers in Nebraska know that they must obey traffic laws, but many of them don’t realize just how often they break the law without knowing it. It’s important to be familiar with the rules so that you can avoid getting ticketed or worse, getting into a car accident.

This article will go over some of the most commonly ignored traffic laws in Nebraska. Knowing these laws can help you stay safe and avoid trouble on the road.

Further reading:

1. Nebraska Slower Traffic Keep Right Law: The “Move Over” Rule

In Nebraska, if you are driving slower than the normal speed of traffic, you must drive in the right lane. If there is no right lane available, then you must drive as far to the right as you can. This rule does not apply if you’re passing another car or turning left.

Any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle or when preparing for a left turn.

Nebraska Rev. Stat. 60-6,131

2. Nebraska Flow of Traffic Law: The “Minimum Speed” Rule

In general, Nebraska law prohibits driving so slowly that you interfere with the flow of traffic. It also establishes a statewide minimum speed limit of 40 mph for freeways. The authorities can impose additional minimum speed limits if slow-moving vehicles consistently delay traffic on a certain road.

No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.

On a freeway no motor vehicle, except emergency vehicles, shall be operated at a speed of less than forty miles per hour or at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for the safe operation of the motor vehicle because of weather, visibility, roadway, or traffic conditions.

Whenever the department or any local authority determines that low speeds on any part of a highway consistently impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, the department or such local authority may determine and declare a minimum speed limit below which no person shall drive a vehicle except when necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.

Nebraska Rev. Stat. 60-6,193

3. Nebraska Driving in Left Lane Law: The “Passing on the Left” Rule

When passing another vehicle in Nebraska, you must signal and then pass on the left. Then, make sure you have completely cleared the other vehicle before returning to the right side.

To pass on a two-lane road, you must confirm that the left side is sufficiently clear of oncoming traffic. You need to have enough time to pass and safely return to the right lane before coming within 200 feet of an approaching vehicle.

If another driver is passing you, the law requires you to yield the right-of-way. You cannot increase your speed until the other vehicle has finished passing you.

The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle shall first give a visible signal of his or her intention and shall pass to the left of the other vehicle at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.

The driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle and shall not increase the speed of his or her vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.

Nebraska Rev. Stat. 60-6,133

No vehicle shall overtake another vehicle when overtaking requires the vehicle to be driven on the left side of the roadway unless the left side is free from oncoming traffic for a distance sufficient to permit the vehicle to return to an authorized lane before coming within two hundred feet of any approaching vehicle and be safely clear of the overtaken vehicle while returning to the authorized lane of travel.

After completing such overtaking, the overtaking vehicle shall return to the authorized lane of travel as soon as practicable.

Nebraska Rev. Stat. 60-6,135

4. Nebraska Rear-End Collision Law: The “Following Too Closely” Rule

Nebraska bans unreasonable tailgating. The law says that you cannot follow another vehicle more closely than is “reasonable and prudent.” When deciding how much room you need to leave in front of your vehicle, you must consider the speed of travel, as well as road and traffic conditions.

The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, and such driver shall have due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the roadway.

Nebraska Rev. Stat. 60-6,140

5. Nebraska Mobile Phone Driving Law: The “Hands-Free Driving” Rule

Nebraska drivers cannot use a handheld mobile phone to text or email while driving. The law does not prohibit making phone calls or sending written communications with hands-free technology. An exception to the rule also exists for emergencies.

No person shall use a handheld wireless communication device to read a written communication, manually type a written communication, or send a written communication while operating a motor vehicle which is in motion.

The prohibition  does not apply to a person operating a motor vehicle in an emergency situation.

Nebraska Rev. Stat. 60-6,179.01

6. Nebraska Four-Way Intersection Law: The “4-Way Stop” Rule

When two drivers arrive at a Nebraska intersection at the same time, the driver on the right has the right-of-way. This means that the driver on the left must wait until the right-side driver has gone to enter the intersection.

When two vehicles approach or enter an intersection from different roadways at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.

Nebraska Rev. Stat. 60-6,146

7. Nebraska Left Turn Intersection Law: The “Right of Way” Rule

To make a legal left turn in Nebraska, you must yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic. If a vehicle traveling the other direction could hit you if you turn, you must wait until they pass.

The driver of a vehicle who intends to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or approaching so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.

Nebraska Rev. Stat. 60-6,147

Traffic laws are in place for a reason, and it’s important that drivers obey them to ensure the safety of everyone on the road. Ignoring the rules of the road can have serious consequences, even for first-time offenders.

If you are caught violating the rules of the road, the penalties can be expensive and may result in points on your driver’s license. So make sure you know and follow all of Nebraska’s traffic laws to avoid costly fines and accidents.