http://www

New traffic enforcements

Omaha Police are launching two traffic enforcement initiatives having to do

with loud music and driving a motorcycle without a helmet.

Some drivers are not happy with new enforcements, especially after spending

money on sound systems.

"I can see if it's at nighttime and you're playing in a residential area and

waking people up, but if it's before 10 o'clock, let me play my music as

loud as can be," said Josh Ryks.

Motorists may get pulled over, cited, and even taken to jail for noise

ordinance violations as police begin to crack down this summer.

"The Nebraska state law states that if you can hear music coming form a

vehicle on a public street, public highway or anything like that over 100

feet, it's illegal," said Omaha Police Officer Andy Passo.

Loud music may also prevent drivers from hearing emergency vehicles.

Driver Josh Toft says that he understands the law but he is suspicious of

the police.

"I think they're just using this as a way to pull over young kids, if they

have a log of illegal things with them, this is a good reason to pull them

over."

Omaha Police are not just cracking down on noise. If you drive a motorcycle

you also run the risk of being pulled over and cited.

The aim for this operation is to limit injuries and deaths caused by not

wearing a DOT helmet.

John Smith, Owner of Harley-Davidson of Omaha says that no helmet will

protect a person during every accident or from various types of impact, but

the right kind of helmet will do what the federal government says it will

do.

The government also said that last year, the recommended helmets saved more

than 1,300 motorcyclists and could have saved close to 700 more.

"I don't like the idea of somebody telling me what to I have to do but it's

probably not a bad idea, said Smith."