EXTRA JULY SPEED PATROLS A WARNING THAT A HEAVY FOOT

WILL MEAN A LIGHTER WALLET

Lake Shore Police to Conduct Enhanced Speed Patrols

Lake Shore, Minn. — Lake Shore motorists will face enhanced speed enforcement patrols throughout the July as part of a statewide campaign administrated by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety.

Speed is the most commonly reported contributing factor in fatal crashes. According to Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS), speed contributes to more than 100 traffic deaths and 300 life-altering, serious injuries each year. Last year Lake Shore officers issued over 120 speed citations. In Cass County, a typical 10 mph over the limit speeding ticket will cost $125.

“Speeding motorists are a serious threat to everyone on the road,” says Chief Steve Sundstrom. “The posted speed is the speed limit. When speed increases, so does the chance for a violent crash.”

Lake Shore Police cites the dangers of speeding include greater potential for loss of vehicle control; increased stopping distance; less time available for driver response for crash avoidance; and increased crash severity leading to more numerous and severe injuries. The high number of pedestrians walking, jogging and bicycling on our city streets makes our roads even more dangerous because of speeding motorists.

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.

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

Chief Sundstrom says with warm weather comes an increase in speeding behavior, an important reminder to motorists in the heart of the summer driving season — the deadliest time on Minnesota roads. He also notes that increased speed does not save much travel time, but rather, “your chances of being involved in a crash greatly increase as speed increases.” Traveling at 55 mph versus 45 mph for a 10-mile journey will only save about two and one-half minutes of travel time.

The Safe & Sober effort is coordinated by the Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety. The campaign is a component of the state’s Toward Zero Death program (TZD). TZD is a multi-agency approach to address traffic issues regionally through enforcement, education, engineering, and emergency trauma care and response.

Obey the Sign. Or Pay the Fine.

CLICK IT OR TICKET. SERIOUSLY!

Heightened Seat Belt Enforcement Starts May 24; Officers Can Stop Motorists Solely for Belt Violations

Lake Shore, MN— Drivers, passengers and kids better be buckled up or in the correct child restraint as Lake Shore officer’s ramp up enhanced Click It or Ticket seat belt patrols May 24–June 6. The campaign marks one year since the state’s primary seat belt law became effective June 9, 2009, allowing law enforcement to stop and ticket motorists solely for belt violations.

The primary law requires passengers in all seating positions, including the back seat, to be buckled up or seated in the correct child restraint. A seat belt fine is $107 with court costs and state surcharges. The campaign will also include enforcement of Minnesota’s strengthened child passenger safety law that requires children to be in the correct restraint until they are age 8 and 4 feet 9 inches tall. This law requires booster seats for kids usually starting at age 4 to ensure adult seat belts fit them correctly.

“Our wish is to not have to write any seat belt tickets, but that’s not reality,” says Chief Steve Sundstrom. “Despite progress in increasing belt use, it’s clear far too many motorists continue to not buckle up and as a result put themselves and others in the vehicle at risk in case of crash.”

Chief Sundstrom notes that in rollover crashes, unbelted motorists are usually ejected from the vehicle. In most cases, the vehicle will rollover them. In less severe crashes, unbelted motorists will crack teeth out on steering wheels or break their nose, and even slam into and injure others in the vehicle. “Enforcement of this law starts with you. Insist your passengers are buckled up,” says SPOKESPERSON.

Each year, unbelted motorists account for more than one-half of all vehicle occupants killed. Belt use is especially an issue in Greater Minnesota communities. Annually, nearly 80 percent of unbelted traffic deaths occur on Greater Minnesota roads. Belt use is especially poor among teens and young adults. Statewide each year, motorists age 15–29 account for 45 percent of all unbelted deaths, yet this group represents only 25 percent of licensed drivers. This same age group accounts for 55 percent of all unbelted serious injuries — 70 percent occur in Greater Minnesota.

The enforcement effort will also include a nighttime seat belt enforcement focus. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) reports during 2006–2008, 277 motorists were killed during nighttime hours (9 p.m. – 3 a.m.) and of those killed, 178 (64 percent) were not belted.

In Minnesota during 2006–2008, 1,097 motorists were killed in crashes and 539 were unbelted; 1,152 unbelted motorists were seriously injured. According to DPS, preliminary 2009 numbers indicate unbelted deaths accounted for at least 140 deaths, more than one-half of motorists killed.

Around 400 law enforcement agencies statewide will participate in the effort coordinated by DPS as a component of the state’s Toward Zero Death (TZD) initiative. TZD is a multi-agency approach to address traffic issues regionally through enforcement, education, engineering and emergency trauma response.

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