Two bills in the Nebraska Senate seeking safer highways have died.

A bill sponsored by Sen. Jim Jones, R-Eddyville, called for lowering the speed limit for all I-80 drivers. LB401 would have reduced the current 75-mph speed limit to 70 mph on I-80 east of U.S. Highway 81 to the Douglas-Sarpy county line.

The bill resulted from a rise in traffic volume and fatalities along I-80 in eastern Nebraska, according to the Lincoln Journal Star. The newspaper reported that last year was the deadliest ever along I-80, with more than 50 fatalities, far exceeding the record of 37 in 1996.

LB502, sponsored by Sen. Ed Schrock, R-Elm Creek, would have doubled fines for speeding on the interstate.

Both bills were in Senate Transportation and Telecommunications Committee when the Legislature adjourned for the year.