The Minnesota Department of Public Safety announced last week that 21 motorists were ticketed for speeding in excess of 100 mph, and 72 drivers were cited for going more than 90 mph, during a statewide speed enforcement campaign in July.
Enhanced speed patrols, coordinated by the department's Office of Traffic Safety, the Minnesota State Patrol and the Minnesota Department of Transportation, will continue in select traffic areas through September.
"Many motorists fail to see the dangers in speeding and don't understand its deadly consequences," said State Patrol Lt. Eric Roeske. "This campaign focuses on educating drivers that when your speed increases, so does your risk of crashing."
Illegal and unsafe speeding factored in at least 86 deaths in 2010 - 65 percent occurred in rural areas.
The highest speeds during July enforcement were: 135 mph (Benson police); 118 mph (Swift County sheriff's office); 110 mph (Fridley police); 107 mph (St. Louis County sheriff's office); 106 mph (Blaine police and Kandiyohi County sheriff's office); and 105 mph (Anoka, Marshall, Norman and Washington county sheriff's offices).
The average cost of a speeding ticket in Minnesota is about $120 for 10 miles over the limit. Motorists stopped at 20 mph over the speed limit face double the fine, and those ticketed traveling more than 100 mph can lose their licenses for six months.
The 12-month speed campaign targets specific "problem" corridors in many parts of the state that have high numbers of deaths, serious injuries, DWI arrests and speed- and distracted-driving-related crashes. The speed enforcement includes a focus on aggressive driving behavior, such as tailgating, abrupt lane changes and red-light running. Roeske also cautioned motorists to pass carefully, especially on two-lane rural roads, on which most of the state's fatal crashes occur. DPS reports the dangers of speeding include greater potential for loss of vehicle control, increased stopping distance, less time available for driver response for crash avoidance and increased crash severity. Motorists should keep at least a three-second following distance, as it takes more than the length of a football field to stop when traveling at 60 mph.
I can't remember a time when we have gotten so far into the riding season without having an accident on a group ride. Either we have been very lucky this year or we are doing some right, or most likely it is a bit of both.
What have we been doing right? What can we do better?
At the very least, I hope this post helps everyone remember to ride safe while having fun this summer.
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