​ST. PAUL – White-knuckle winter driving may be a distant memory for Minnesotans in July, but the dangers of speeding should be top-of-mind during the 100 deadliest days of summer. A statewide extra speed enforcement and awareness campaign from July 7 – 23 will remind Minnesotans to slow down and drive safely.

 

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (DPS-OTS) coordinates the campaign with more than 300 law enforcement agencies (police, sheriff and state patrol) stepping up enforcement efforts through overtime funding provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

 

“Sunny summer skies and clear roads tempt drivers to drive more aggressively and push down on the accelerator a little harder. That’s a dangerous choice,” said Donna Berger, Office of Traffic Safety director. “When speeds go up, so does the likelihood of fatal crashes and serious injuries. Add in motorists who are drunk, distracted or unbelted, and the summer months become the 100 deadliest days on Minnesota roads. Drive Minnesota Nice and choose to obey the speed limit.”

 

While getting a ticket may be a primary concern when exceeding the speed limit, drivers should worry about far more dangerous consequences:

 Higher Speeds, Bigger Problems

Cost of a speeding violation will vary by county, but it will typically cost a driver more than $110 with court fees for traveling 10 mph over the limit. Fines double for those traveling 20 mph over the limit, and fines for speeding in a work zone are more than $300. A driver can lose their license for six months for going 100 mph or more.

 

The Minnesota Department of 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.

 

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (DPS-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. DPS-OTS also administers state funds for the motorcycle safety program and for child seats for the needy families program.

 

DPS-OTS is an anchoring partner of the state’s Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) traffic safety program. A primary vision of the TZD program is to create a safe driving culture in Minnesota in which motorists support a goal of zero road fatalities by practicing and promoting safe and smart driving behavior. TZD focuses on the application of four strategic areas to reduce crashes – education, enforcement, engineering, and emergency medical and trauma response.

 

 

 

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