Local troopers deserve credit for traffic safety

Troopers would be the first to say they didn't deserve all the credit, but local troopers certainly deserve their share for helping prevent needless traffic fatalities last year.

The McCook Sergeant Area was the only Nebraska State Patrol work area in the state to record zero fatality accidents during the 2015 calendar year.

For that achievement, Col. Brad Rice presented a Distinguished Service Award to Sgt. Joel Smith and Troopers Dan Thompson, Brian Walter, Jeff Van Stelton, Robert Golden and Cassie Wegelin.

According to the citation, "subordinates were challenged by Sgt. Smith with activities and clear goals in reducing the number of fatality accidents to zero. The group diligently patrolled their assigned areas with known high volume traffic times and public events; they provided educational programs and held numerous directed patrols and selectives in an attempt to remove impaired drivers. Two officers of this group were again nominated for Mothers Against Drunk Driving awards for their enforcement efforts.

"The action of the above-named officers are a testament to what can be achieved when goals are made and achieved. These officers exhibit the highest standard of police service. They bring credit to the law enforcement profession and the Nebraska State Patrol. Their efforts exemplify the motto of 'Pro Bono Publico.'

Several of the troopers, especially Trooper Jeff Van Stelton, offer testimony of the importance of seatbelts in a new YouTube video, one of the efforts for which they were honored. Van Stelton knows first-hand just how important the message is, having survived a terrific crash thanks in part to seatbelts.

Check out the video here.

To be sure, simple fate -- good luck -- deserves credit for a lack of fatalities in the NSP area, and so do careful drivers. Still, it's good to know officers are doing their best to improve drivers' chances of arriving safely at their destinations.