Ask any law enforcement officer, including our Minnesota State Patrol troopers, and they'll share that one of the worst parts of their job is telling someone that their loved one is never coming home.

Troopers, deputies and officers are having to deliver that devastating news at an alarming rate with fatal crashes up almost 40 percent over this time last year.

That's one of the reasons the Minnesota State Patrol has started a new initiative to help stop dangerous speeding on rural high-risk roadways. This spring and summer, troopers will take part in the Rural Speed Reduction Project. Each district will assign troopers to conduct high visibility patrols on problematic roadways in their areas now through Sept. 2.

“Losing a loved one because of a crash that was likely preventable is heartbreaking and unacceptable," said Col. Christina Bogojevic, chief of the Minnesota State Patrol. “This new enforcement initiative is another way for troopers to make a difference by educating drivers and stopping dangerous behaviors before it results in a life-changing tragedy. If it saves even one life, it's worth it." 

Speeding increases not only the chance of being in a crash, but also increases the severity of the crash.

Traffic fatalities Jan. 1-May 9

• 2024: 116
• 2023: 84

Speed-related traffic fatalities Jan. 1-May 5

• 2024: 31
• 2023: 26

Data shows many speeding-related fatalities occur on roads in rural areas that permit high speeds and do not have interstate-type safety designs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 87 percent of all speed-related traffic deaths across the U.S. occurred on non-interstate roads in 2022.

The Rural Speed Reduction Project replaces the Highway Enforcement for Aggressive Traffic (HEAT) enforcement, which the State Patrol started in 2022 to target speeding on Minnesota freeways.

The new project allows each State Patrol district to formulate its own plan for when and what roads to monitor. Troopers will work the special enforcement while on duty as well as during overtime hours. On select days throughout the summer, some districts may schedule all of its troopers for high-visibility efforts. The two Twin Cities metro area districts will allocate hours to rural roads as well as freeways.

Several types of data were analyzed to determine what roads needed the most attention. That included crashes, traffic volume, county population counts and speeding citation data from all 87 Minnesota counties.

Speed is one of the deadliest traffic violations. Distraction, lack of seat belt and impairment are the other three. The State Patrol will also be re-launching its Project 20(24) enforcement over several weekends in May through September to focus on those dangerous driving behaviors. Troopers will work in teams to conduct high intensity patrols in specific areas.

“Our troopers and law enforcement partners will continue working hard to stop dangerous driving behaviors, but we can't do it alone," Col. Bogojevic​ said. “Drivers have to do their part. That means driving the speed limit, putting distractions away, buckling up and always driving sober. Let's work together to make our roads safer for everyone.​​​​