Lincoln County OKs roadway markings to support aircraft speed enforcement

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 25 approved a request from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and the county road department to place white distance/hash markings on county roads to support speed enforcement by aircraft.

The board approved the action after a lengthy discussion that covered how aerial enforcement operates, which roads would be marked, cost, coordination with the Nebraska State Patrol and North Platte police, and whether signage should warn motorists of “speed checked by aircraft.”

Sheriff’s Office Captain Dan Newton described how the program works: tactical flight officers in aircraft or on NSP aircraft time vehicles between painted marks on the roadway and radio information to officers on the ground. Jason Schultz, Lincoln County highway superintendent, said the markings would be painted on asphalt county roads and that crews would bear the man-hours and paint cost. Schultz said one of the requested sites is West Walker Road and another is East State Farm Road; the tactical flight officers identified the two county roads they would use.

Commissioners and other board members focused discussion on public-safety goals and deterrence. Several said they prefer visible ground enforcement in high-traffic periods but acknowledged aircraft enforcement can add unpredictable enforcement that deters chronic speeding. Multiple commissioners supported adding road signage. One commissioner said, "I would wish that we have actual signage saying air enforcement in a particular stretch," and several other board members echoed that signage would improve deterrence and fairness.

Schultz estimated the direct county costs would be modest: “probably less than a thousand dollars per section you do,” including paint and small signage costs. Board members asked whether NSP or tactical-flight officers would verify the painted distances and testify in court. Newton said the officer who writes the citation is the primary officer in court and the tactical flight officer would be listed as a secondary witness; both could be called if a citation is challenged.

The motion before the board directed staff to approve roadway markings for aircraft speed enforcement and to authorize the chair to sign related agreements. The board voted to approve the request; commissioners said they'd require clear signage and set expectations about coordination with NSP, local police and the sheriff’s office before adding additional locations in future.

The board’s discussion emphasized that marked locations would be limited to paved county roads and coordinated with the county surveyor and legal counsel as needed. Several commissioners also asked staff to provide a framework for future requests if more roads are proposed.

The board approved the motion and directed staff to proceed with marking and signage on the identified roads and to return to the board with any future expansions.

Ending: The county will publish locations, signage plans and any related interagency agreements once staff and legal counsel finalize coordination with the North Platte Police Department and Nebraska State Patrol.