Good morning, this is Omaha Local Pulse for Thursday, November 27th, 2025.
We're starting today with some sobering news about traffic safety in our community. Nebraska is experiencing its deadliest year for pedestrians in more than three decades, with 27 fatalities reported as of mid-November. Here in Omaha, we've seen nine pedestrian deaths so far this year, which is actually down from last year when we lost fourteen residents to traffic incidents. But the recent spike has been heartbreaking. Just over a week ago, a sixty-three-year-old man was struck and killed by a pickup truck near eighty-fourth and Blondo streets in a hit and run. Days later, another pedestrian was killed in a similar incident along twenty-sixth Avenue and Douglas Street.
City leaders are taking action through an initiative called Vision Zero, which was fully adopted in twenty twenty-three with an ambitious goal to eliminate traffic fatalities in Omaha entirely by twenty forty-five. Jeff Sobczyk, our Vision Zero coordinator, says part of the problem is that newer vehicles are getting bigger and heavier, which means longer stopping distances and larger blind spots. The city has already invested millions into this effort, including a consulting contract to develop comprehensive safety strategies. Over the past year, we've seen targeted improvements like roadway reconfigurations on one hundred eighth Street between Maple and Fort, and new pedestrian safety enhancements along Center Street between fifty-first and sixtieth streets with medians and crosswalks.
Looking ahead, the city is planning a major multi-million-dollar safety study for Ames Avenue from seventy-second to twenty-fourth streets, which is one of our most dangerous corridors for both drivers and pedestrians. That work wraps up early next year.
Most traffic injuries happen east of seventy-second Street, particularly in North and South Omaha, where older roads and infrastructure create additional challenges. These neighborhoods also have higher rates of residents who walk or use transit, so they're facing greater exposure to traffic dangers.
As we head into the holiday season with increased traffic and activity, we're asking everyone to stay vigilant whether you're walking, driving, or biking. Take your time, use designated crosswalks, and remember that every person matters in our community.
The weather today should be relatively mild for late November, so if you're heading out for any holiday activities, bundle up lightly but stay visible to traffic.
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