MN - Be sure to watch your speed
Be sure to watch your speed
By Sarah Light, staff writer
Thursday, July 12, 2007 9:26 AM CDT
The Albert Lea Police Department and Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office will conduct overtime speed enforcement today as part of the “Seven Days of Summer” campaign taking place across the region this month and next.
The extra speed enforcement, which is an effort of the Safe & Sober campaign, is aimed to curb speeding motorists in what is the deadliest season of the year on Minnesota roads.
Each year in this state, speed — the most commonly reported factor in fatal crashes — contributes to about 150 traffic deaths and 7,000 injuries.
Though speed is the primary focus of this safety campaign, officers and deputies will also be on the lookout for any other driving violations.
After today, the campaign continues on July 16 and 27, and Aug. 4, 7 and 13. The first day of the summer enforcement was July 6.
Lt. Jeff Strom with the Albert Lea Police Department reminded people that while there will be extra enforcement on those dates, there will still be regular traffic enforcement in place on all other days as well.
“Slow down and buckle up and make sure you arrive alive wherever you’re going to,” Strom said.
During each of the scheduled days of the campaign, Albert Lea drivers can expect to see the police department’s newly painted Safe & Sober speed truck out for public awareness at different locations around town.
The speed truck is a black and white Nissan pickup with a speed display board mounted in the bed. The board has a radar unit that captures and displays oncoming vehicle speeds to remind drivers of their speed and the current speed limit.
Strom said anyone who knows of an area where speed may be a concern should contact him and he’ll make sure the speed truck gets out on that street.
The Safe & Sober education and enforcement campaign is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and is designed to reduce the number of traffic crashes and injuries.
In Albert Lea, the prices for speeding citations are as follows:
- 11 to 14 mph over: $122
- 15 to 19 mph over: $132
- 20+ mph over: $192
- 21 to 25 mph over: $212
- 26 to 30 mph over: $272
- 31+ mph over: $372
- Drivers traveling 100 mph or more are subject to a six-month license revocation.
