MN - Wadena County crackdown on speeding planned

Wadena County crackdown on speeding planned
Wadena Pioneer Journal
Published Thursday, March 27, 2008
Heightened speed patrols will be conducted by the Wadena County Sheriff’s Department and the Wadena Police Department throughout April.

Over the last three years, 2004-06, speed was a contributing factor in six deaths in Wadena County and 464 deaths statewide. The Safe and Sober enforcement and education campaign is coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety.

Speeding is the most commonly reported factor in fatal crashes. Each year in Minnesota, speed contributes to about 150 traffic deaths and 7,000 injuries. Last year the Wadena County Sheriff’s Department and the Wadena Police Department issued 250 speeding citations. In Wadena County, a speeding ticket for 10 mph over the limit can range from $120 to $140.
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“Speeding motorists are a constant threat to road safety,” said Deputy Luke Manderschied. “When speeds increase, crashes become more violent, and we aim to prevent those from occurring.”

More than twice as many speed-related fatal crashes occur on rural roads than major urban roads.

Manderschied said that warm weather and clear roads increases speeding behavior; factors that are relevant as the state heads into the summer driving season, the deadliest time on Minnesota roads. He said speeding doesn’t save much travel time and greatly increases the risk of a crash. Traveling at 55 mph versus 45 mph for a 10-mile journey will save only 2 1/2 minutes of travel time.

In Minnesota, speeding fines are doubled if a motorist is caught speeding 20 mph or more over the limit, and drivers traveling 100 mph or more are subject to a six-month license revocation.

The Safe & Sober effort is coordinated by OTS as a component of the state’s Toward Zero Death initiative. TZD is a multi-agency approach to address traffic issues regionally through enforcement, education, engineering and emergency trauma care and response.