Are Minnesota Drivers Speeding Even More These Days?

Okay, is it just mean or have drivers been speeding even more within the last couple of years?

I mean, I’m one to go 5-8 mph over the speed limit, but never 15 or 20, but I swear so many drivers are these days.

A Minnesota resident asked the question of if this is more common in the cities or the greater area, and Minnesota State Patrol Sgt. Troy Christianson has a great answer for them.

Question:

Are you seeing increased speed more in the metro or Greater Minnesota? And are those increased speeds on the Highway or the city streets?

Sgt. Troy Christianson’s Answer:

The Minnesota State Patrol is seeing increased speeds across the state. Whether you live in the metro or Greater Minnesota, excessive speeds are a cause for concern.

People tend to think of dangerous speeds on the highway, but traveling at a high rate of speed through a city can be just as tragic. Law enforcement statewide cited 759 drivers for going 20 mph or more above the limit in a 30 mph zone (Feb. 1-March 31, 2020). The highest speed clocked in a 30 mph zone was 83 mph by Minneapolis Park Police. Imagine if a ball got away from a child or a person was crossing the street. At those speeds, it could be tragic.

Statewide, law enforcement cited 23,052 drivers for speed violations from Feb. 1-March 31 (2020) during the extra speed enforcement campaign. The highest speed clocked in the metro was 127 mph and 135 mph in Greater Minnesota.

Sgt. Christianson also noted that there has been a significant increase in speed-related incidents and traffic fatalities.

“You can avoid a ticket — and a crash — if you simply buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention and always drive sober. Help us drive Minnesota toward zero deaths,” ends Christianson.

If you have any questions concerning traffic-related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State Patrol, at 2900 48th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901-5848; or reach him at Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us.

All information is credited to postbulletin.com.