Seventy-eight people. That’s more than an entire regular season NFL roster, more people than can fill up a passenger bus, and roughly the size of three elementary school classes.
Losing these people to tragedy would make headlines. In reality, speed played a role in crashes that killed that many people on Minnesota roads in 2015.
To keep motorists safe this summer, Law Enforcement in Isanti County is conducting increased patrols, now through July 22, as part of a statewide extra speed enforcement effort. The enforcement and education effort is coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety.
“How many times have you driven in a neighborhood, only to slam on your brakes for a child running out to chase a ball?” said Bob Bollenbeck, Isanti Count TZD Coordinator. “Now what if you were going 10 miles over the limit and that extra speed kept you from stopping in time? Speeding is not worth it. Go the speed limit — it could prevent a tragedy.”
Speed Kills
Speed is a leading factor in crashes, contributing to one out of every five fatalities on Minnesota roads. The summer months are especially troublesome with an average of 23 speed-related deaths a year during the 100 deadliest days (Memorial Day – Labor Day) on Minnesota roads.
While there is cause for concern, drivers seem to be getting the message that speed kills. Speed-related fatal crashes have decreased by 48 percent in the last 10 years. More than twice as many speed-related fatal crashes occur on rural roads than major urban roads.
Look Twice for Motorcyclists
Another safety concern in July is the record-high number of motorcyclists on the road. A major factor in rider deaths is unsafe speeds. More than half of all motorcycle crashes are single-vehicle events in which the rider loses control of the bike and runs off the road or crashes.
“Motorcyclists and motorists need to take safety into their own hands and travel at safe speeds. We urge motorists to always look twice for riders since motorcycles are smaller and their speed and distance are more difficult to judge,” Bollenbeck said.
Speeding Costs
The most common traffic-law violation is speeding, outnumbering all other traffic violations combined. (AAA)
In Isanti County, an average speeding citation for 10 mph over the limit is at least $125. Motorists stopped at 20 mph over the speed limit face double the fine, and those ticketed traveling more than 100 mph can lose their license for six months.
For every 5 mph above 50 mph, it’s like paying an additional 19 cents per gallon. (Department of Energy)
Extra speed enforcement and education efforts are part of the Toward Zero Deaths 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.