ST. PAUL – School is out, summer is here, and speed limit enforcement in Minnesota is heating up.
During the summer, there are typically more than 900 crashes involving teen drivers each month, and illegal and unsafe speed has been one of the top three contributing factors in these crashes.
Nearly 400 Minnesota law enforcement agencies will increase patrols June 16-20 to combat traffic crashes, deaths and serious injuries caused by speeding, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety/Office of Traffic Safety (DPS/OTS).
“Summer is the deadliest season on our roads and there are far too many motorists speeding, driving aggressively and putting their lives and the lives of others in danger,” said Donna Berger, OTS director. “Law enforcement has heard every excuse for speeding. It’s time to stop the excuses, slow down and get you, your friends and family safely to your destination.”
Speed was a factor in 213 fatal crashes in the last three years (2011-2013), causing 235 fatalities and 666 serious injuries.
In addition to putting other motorists at risk, speeding:
- Increases the potential for loss of vehicle control.
- Requires greater stopping distance – it takes more than the length of a football field to stop when traveling 60 mph.
- Decreases the time available for driver response and crash avoidance.
- Increases crash severity – the faster the speed, the more violent the crash.
A similar enhanced enforcement and education campaign for speed also will run statewide July 10-27.
- Every driver must drive at a speed that is reasonable and prudent for the conditions.
- Motorists must be aware of actual and potential hazards on the highway and use due care in operating a vehicle.
Driving at least 20 mph over the speed limit doubles the fine and those ticketed at more than 100 mph can lose their license for six months.
Driving Tips
If confronted by a speeding or aggressive driver:
- Get out of their way.
- Do not challenge the other driver.
- Avoid eye contact.
- Ignore gestures and don’t return them.
- Find a safe place to call 911 to report aggressive driving. Be prepared to offer the vehicle description, license number and location.
- Always buckle up to maintain proper seating position in case of abrupt driving maneuvers.
In addition, motorists should keep a three-second following distance to allow for safe stopping and reaction to other vehicles.
About the Minnesota Department Public Safety
DPS comprises 11 divisions where 2,100 employees operate programs in the areas of law enforcement, crime victim assistance, traffic safety, alcohol and gambling, emergency communications, fire safety, pipeline safety, driver licensing, vehicle registration and emergency management. DPS activity is anchored by three core principles: education, enforcement and prevention.
About the Office of Traffic Safety
OTS designs, implements and coordinates federally funded traffic safety enforcement and education programs to improve driver behaviors and reduce the deaths and serious injuries that occur on Minnesota roads. OTS also administers state funds for the motorcycle safety program and for the child seats for needy families program.
OTS is an anchoring partner of the state’s
Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) traffic safety initiative.
Recent OTS Activity and Statistics
- To-date, there have been 129 traffic deaths, four less than this time last year.
- The May 19-June 1 Click It or Ticket campaign reported 10,874 seat belt citations and 279 child restraint tickets from 329 law enforcement agencies.
- Final reports on enhanced enforcement for distracted driving during April 11-20 reported 827 texting citations from 308 law enforcement agencies.
- In a continuing effort to advance traffic safety in Minnesota, DPS awarded new federal grants totaling more than $8.5 million for regional partners to support overtime traffic safety enforcement and educational efforts through September 2014.
