Wright County Government: Safe Communities Warns About Dangers Of Speeding

Press release from the Wright County Government:

July 19, 2021

A Message from Virgil Hawkins, Wright County Highway Engineer and Safe Communities of Wright County Board Member

You may have noticed extra law enforcement on the roads recently.  They are working extra speed patrols for those motorists who drive above the speed limit (either posted speed or too fast for conditions).  Minnesotans are excited about more summertime road trips and activities compared to last year, but we’re deeply concerned about a deadly speeding crisis that shows no signs of letting up in 2021.

Speeding incidents are on the Rise…

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) considers a crash to be speeding-related if any driver in the crash was charged with a speeding-related offense or if a police officer indicated that racing, driving too fast for conditions, or exceeding the posted speed limit was a contributing factor in the crash.

Summer and Speed – Make the Safe Choice

Drivers who think speeding is not a big deal risk more than just a speeding ticket:

Consequences

Higher Speeds, Bigger Problems

If confronted with a speeding/aggressive driver it is recommended to do the following:

Drivers need to plan trips in advance – allow the time necessary to arrive at your destination safely and on time.  The minimal time gained while speeding could have life-long consequences.  Consider this – a motorist traveling at 55 miles per hour compared to 45 miles per hour will save only 1 minute and 13 seconds on a five-mile trip!

Speeding is also tied to aggressive driving, such as tailgating, abrupt lane changes and red-light running.   These behaviors are not only unnecessary but speak to a troubling culture on our roads where people put their schedules ahead of everyone else’s safety.

The tragedies that occur because of speeding motorists are simply preventable.  These deaths and severe injuries do not have to happen.  Help us drive Minnesota towards zero deaths by driving at safe speeds. Remember that the speed limit is either the posted speed or the speed that is safe for conditions (in cases of inclement weather slow down).

This press release was produced by the Wright County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.