Nearly 300 law enforcement agencies in Minnesota are joining together to address speeding on the state’s roads, according to a May 1 announcement from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. The coordinated extra enforcement and awareness campaign begins May 1 and will continue through September 7.
The effort comes as preliminary data shows that speed-related crashes led to 102 deaths and caused serious injuries to another 388 people in Minnesota last year. Officials say the campaign is aimed at reducing these numbers by targeting dangerous driving behaviors during a period when road fatalities typically increase.
“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 Mike Hanson, Director of the Office of Traffic Safety at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. “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.”
The initiative is organized by the Office of Traffic Safety using funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Law enforcement officers will focus on four main risk factors: distracted driving, not wearing seat belts, impaired driving, and speeding. From Memorial Day through Labor Day—often referred to as the “100 deadliest days”—officers plan additional patrols because these months tend to see more travel and increased risk for crashes.
Last summer between May 26 and September 1, there were 111 traffic fatalities in Minnesota; among them, speeding was involved in 31 cases, alcohol use was present in 37 deaths, lack of seat belt use contributed to sixteen fatalities, and distraction played a role in five fatal crashes.
Officials remind drivers that even minor speeding can have serious consequences. Speeding citations generally cost $100 or more for exceeding limits by ten miles per hour; fines double for speeds over twenty miles per hour above posted limits; those caught going one hundred miles per hour or faster may lose their license for six months.
The Department urges drivers that slowing down gives more control behind the wheel and allows quicker responses if conditions change unexpectedly.