ST. PAUL -- The Fourth of July weekend kicks off a month of fun and travel for many families. That means a lot of extra vehicles hitting the road. While many Minnesotans are driving smart, many are still driving too fast. Speed was the largest contributing factor in fatal traffic crashes during the 100 deadliest days last summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day).
To help stop speed-related deaths and educate motorists, officers, deputies and troopers will be participating in a statewide extra enforcement and awareness campaign from July 1-31. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (DPS-OTS) coordinates the campaign. DPS-OTS provides federal overtime funding for law enforcement officers to conduct increased patrols.
“We see it every day on just about every road, drivers going too fast," said Mike Hanson, Office of Traffic Safety director. “The warm weather and snow-free roads make it easy to want to drive faster, but it's a dangerous decision. When speeds go up, so does the likelihood of fatal crashes and serious injuries. Going the speed limit and slowing down in construction zones are critical to us all coming home to our loved ones at the end of the day."
The Deadly Dangers of Speeding
While getting a ticket may be a primary concern when exceeding the speed limit, drivers should worry about far more dangerous consequences:
- In 2021, 166 motorists died in speed-related crashes (preliminary), the most since 2003 (195).
- During the 100 deadliest days in the past five years (2017-2021), preliminary numbers show that 196 people lost their lives in speed-related crashes.
- Speed contributed to an average of 82 deaths per year from 2012-2016, but an average of 113 deaths per year from 2017-2021.
Through June 19, preliminary numbers show speed-related deaths are 45 percent less than at this time last year, but 13 percent more than in 2020, and 57 percent more than in 2019.
- 44 in 2022
- 80 in 2021
- 39 in 2020
- 28 in 2019
- 52 in 2018
- 40 in 2017
The 488 traffic fatalities in 2021 (preliminary) are the most since 2007 (510), with speed contributing to 34 percent of those fatalities.
Speed-Related Traffic Fatalities
- 166 in 2021
- 122 in 2020
- 75 in 2019
- 113 in 2018
- 88 in 2017
The Minnesota State Patrol cited 33,365 motorists for speeding through June 6 of this year.
Great Lakes High Stakes Speed Awareness Day
Minnesota is joining law enforcement officers from six states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin) on July 27 for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Region 5 high visibility Speed Awareness Day enforcement campaign. In 2020, there were 5,413 fatal injuries in the six-state region with 1,688 (30.8 percent) being speed-related fatalities. This was an 11.5 percent increase from 2019.
Reducing Speed Makes a Difference
- Gives the driver more vehicle control.
- Allows the driver to respond more quickly to road situations.
- Decreases the severity of the impact during a crash.
Give Yourself Room
- Motorists should keep a three-second following distance to allow for safe stopping and reaction to other vehicles.
- It takes more than the length of a football field to stop when traveling at 60 miles per hour.
Remembering Lives Lost on Minnesota Roads
DPS is scrolling the names of fatal crash victims at dps.mn.gov, a somber reminder of lives lost due to decisions such as driving impaired, not wearing a seat belt, speeding and distracted driving. Minnesotans can prevent tragedy for themselves and others by planning a sober ride, buckling up, obeying the speed limit and paying attention.
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
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. These efforts form a strong foundation for the statewide Toward Zero Deaths traffic safety program. DPS-OTS also administers state funds for the motorcycle safety program and for the child seats for needy families program.
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