Speeding kills: Nearly 300 Minnesota law enforcement agencies plan to help stop it

ST. PAUL — It doesn’t take much — just 10 mph over the speed limit — to increase the chances of a traffic crash turning fatal. Preliminary figures show that last year, speed-related crashes claimed 102 lives and seriously injured 388 people in Minnesota. Nearly 300 law enforcement agencies from around the state are joining together to stop dangerous and deadly speeding. The high-visibility extra enforcement and awareness campaign starts May 1 and runs through Sept. 7.

“For people who think speeding is no big deal, emergency responders will tell you a far different story of what they see at a crash scene,” said Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety Director Mike Hanson. “If you like to speed, think of this enforcement as a life-saving intervention. Now is your chance to stop this dangerous behavior before someone gets hurt. Our law enforcement partners are out there ready to stop deadly driving.”

People may think that snow and ice contribute to deadlier roads. The reality is that more traffic fatalities occur during the warmer months. Roads are clear, and it’s more tempting to speed and focus less on driving conditions. Slowing down is one of the simplest steps drivers can take to save lives.

The campaign is coordinated by the OTS using funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

100 deadliest days

Memorial Day through Labor Day are typically the most traveled days nationwide. The extra travel raises the chances of crashes for everyone on the road. To reduce those chances, law enforcement conducts additional enforcement, including closer attention to speed beginning May 1. Throughout the summer, they’ll target the big four behaviors that contribute to the most crashes — driving distracted, driving unbelted, speeding and driving while impaired.

From May 26 to Sept. 1 last year, there were 111 fatalities on Minnesota roads:

• In 31 of them, someone was speeding.
• In 37 of them, one of the drivers had consumed alcohol.
• In 16 of the deaths, the victim wasn’t wearing a seat belt.
• In five of those crashes, one of the drivers was distracted.

Speeding in Minnesota

Speeding by even a few miles over the limit increases crash risk and can make crashes deadly. Speeding citations vary by county but typically cost $100 or more for 10 mph over the speed limit. Fines double for drivers caught going 20 mph over the limit, and drivers going 100 mph or more could lose their license for six months. Citations can affect a person’s bank account, driving record or insurance rates.

• Speeding in 2025 (preliminary):
  • 388 speed-related serious injuries
  • 102 speed-related fatalities
• Approximately 65 percent of speed-related deaths had at least one driver going just 10 mph over the speed limit or more.

From 2020 to 2025, there were:

• 941,517 speed-related citations
• 2,492 speed-related serious injuries
• 778 speed-related fatalities

Slow down and save a life

• Drivers often save only a little time by speeding, and they threaten the lives of everyone on the road.
• Slowing down gives drivers more control and allows them to respond more quickly to changing conditions.
• Planning ahead for trips will decrease the desire to rush. 

About the Minnesota Department of Public Safety

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s more than 2,400 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's 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. These efforts form a strong foundation for the statewide Toward Zero Deaths traffic safety program. OTS also administers state funds for the motorcycle safety program, child seats for needy families program, school bus stop arm camera project and oversees the funding for the Advisory Council on Traffic Safety.