Starting Friday, Meeker County law enforcement is increasing speed enforcement.
There will be extra enforcement on local roads through July 22, according to Jesse Hudec, coordinator for the Meeker County Toward Zero Deaths Safe Roads Coalition.
In the past five years — 2013 to 2017 — Hudec said 108 people lost their lives in speed-related crashes.
While summer months provide beautiful weather in Minnesota, a news release from the Meeker Safe Roads Coalition said dry roads also allow for drivers to get complacent with speeding.
In 2017, speed was the number one contributing factor in single-vehicle crashes at 22 percent. During the 100 deadliest days (Memorial Day – Labor Day) in 2017, preliminary numbers show speed played a role in 23 fatalities.
"Even one life lost to speeding is one too many," Hudec said. “That’s why the local Toward Zero Deaths Safe Roads coalitions are joining other state and local law enforcement and highway safety leaders across Minnesota to remind drivers to never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly.”
"Our goal is to save lives," Meeker County Sheriff Brian Cruze said. “Drivers need to remember that there is a reason posted speed limits exist. The roadways can be a dangerous place and the speed limits are designed to protect everyone – drivers, passengers, pedestrians – everyone!"
The next time drivers get behind the wheel, Cruze asks local drivers to "stop speeding before it stops you.”
REDUCE SPEED TO REDUCE DANGER
There is no grace zone for speed, according to Hudec. The posted speed limit is the maximum speed drivers should be going. Speeding will not get drivers where they want to go much faster and can put all drivers at great risk, he said.
"Any time drivers speed, they are putting themselves, their passengers and other drivers and pedestrians at risk," the news release said. "Speeding greatly reduces the driver’s ability to slow a vehicle when necessary or to steer safely around an unexpected curve, another vehicle or hazardous object in the roadway."
Furthermore, the coalition warns that driving above the posted speed limit or speeding in bad weather conditions dramatically increases the probability that a motorist will be involved in a crash.
TOWARD ZERO DEATHS
The Southwest Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths program brings area law enforcement, public health educators engineers and emergency medical and trauma services together to reduce the number of traffic fatalities and severe injuries to zero in southwest Minnesota.
The program's service area encompasses Meeker and McLeod counties, as well as 12 others: Big Stone, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Swift and Yellow Medicine.
A primary vision of the Toward Zero Deaths program is to create a safe driving culture in Minnesota in which motorists support a goal of zero road fatalities by practicing and promoting safe and smart driving behavior, according to the news release.
