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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Duluth - Police Department
Mike Ceynowa, Chief of Police
2030 North Arlington Avenue • Duluth, Minnesota 55811 • www.duluthmn.gov
2030 North Arlington Avenue • Duluth, Minnesota 55811 • www.duluthmn.gov
For more information contact:
Public Information Officer, Mattie Hjelseth at (218) 730-5434 or mhjelseth@duluthmn.gov
Public Information Officer, Mattie Hjelseth at (218) 730-5434 or mhjelseth@duluthmn.gov
DATE: 3/14/2013
SUBJECT: Enhanced Speed Enforcement
BY: DPD Public Information Officer Jim Hansen (218) 390-2232
NATURE OF INCIDENT: Enhanced Speed Enforcement
CASE NO.:
INCIDENT DATE: 3/14/2013
INCIDENT TIME:
INCIDENT LOCATION: Duluth and Surrounding Area
SUBJECT: Enhanced Speed Enforcement
BY: DPD Public Information Officer Jim Hansen (218) 390-2232
NATURE OF INCIDENT: Enhanced Speed Enforcement
CASE NO.:
INCIDENT DATE: 3/14/2013
INCIDENT TIME:
INCIDENT LOCATION: Duluth and Surrounding Area
AREA OFFICERS “FEEL THE NEED TO ENFORCE SPEED”
The Duluth Police Department, St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, Hermantown Police Department, Proctor Police Department, Floodwood Police Department, UMD Police Department and the Minnesota State Patrol will be partnering in Enhanced Speed Enforcement next week.
- Illegal or unsafe speed is the leading contributing factor in fatal crashes. Motorists need to drive at speeds safe for the roadway and weather conditions, as well as at or below the posted speed limit.
- The consequences of excessive speed include:
Ø greater potential for loss of vehicle control;
Ø increased stopping time and distance;
Ø Increased crash severity leading to more numerous and serious injuries.
Over the three-year period of 2009–2011 in Minnesota, illegal or unsafe speed was a contributing factor in 228 fatal crashes resulting in 254 deaths. During the same time frame, 63 percent of the speed-related fatal crashes occurred in rural areas (less than 5,000 population). During the same time frame, illegal or unsafe speed accounted for 25 percent of the factors cited in fatal crashes for drivers under age 30, compared to only 5 percent of the factors cited for drivers age 65 and older.
Far too often, motorists ignore speed limits, and as a result, put lives at risk. No matter how many motorists are speeding, it doesn’t make it legal or safe. Speed limits are posted for a reason— to reflect the safe speed for the road’s design.
Motorists need to understand that speeding is not an innocent activity. When you speed, you have greater potential to lose control of your vehicle; it takes longer to stop; you have less time available to avoid a crash — and the faster you drive, the harder you crash, meaning more severe injuries. Crashes affect everyone on the roadway, not just the speeder.
Don’t put your schedule ahead of everybody else’s safety. When your speed increases, so does the chance for a violent crash. Speeding really doesn’t save much time —traveling at 55 mph versus 45 mph for a 10-mile journey will only save about two and one-half minutes of travel time. Costs of speeding violations vary by county, but typically ramp up to at least $120 for traveling 10 mph 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 license for six months.
Speeding is linked to aggressive driving — tailgating, running lights, changing lanes abruptly, etc.
Traits of an aggressive driver:
- Ignore turn and traffic signals.
- Speed and tailgate.
- Weave in and out of traffic.
- Make improper lane changes frequently and abruptly.
- Pass on the shoulder.
- Make hand and facial gestures.
- Scream, honk and flash lights.
If confronted with aggressive driver:
- Get out of their way; disengage.
- Stay calm — reaching your destination safely is your goal.
- Do not challenge them.
- Avoid eye contact.
- Ignore gestures and don’t return them.
- Report aggressive driving (vehicle description, license number, location).
Speeding and aggressive driving often stems from the motorist’s mindset that the road belongs to them only, and everyone else is in their way. Drivers need to realistically anticipate travel times and allow the time necessary to arrive to your destination safely and on time. The minimal time gained while speeding could have life-long consequences.
ATTENTION LEAD FOOTS – EXTRA SPEED PATROLS NEXT WEEK!
