Thursday, March 28, 2024

Thousands of lead-foot drivers nabbed across state

During the two-week speed enforcement campaign across Minnesota in July, officers issued more than 13,000 citations, including 33 in Dodge County.

The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office led the county with 12 speeding citations followed by Kasson Police with 11 and West Concord Police with 10. The fastest speed recorded in the county was 82 mph.

In addition to speeding citations, officers in Kasson also issued 30 seat belt citations during the period. 

Besides the local agencies, the Rochester district of the State Patrol, which covers Dodge County and many other counties throughout southeastern Minnesota, issued 545 speeding citations and 127 seat belt violations. 

More than 300 law enforcement agencies participated in the campaign July 8-22. This year’s total of 13,2145 citations compares to 16,410 in 2015. Officers issued 1,543 seat belt citations.

Over the two-week period, 19 police agencies reported speeds of 100 mph or more. The highest speed in the state came in Rosemount at 120 mph. 

Some of the excuses officers heard during the campaign included: “Trying to get to McDonald’s before it closed, “ “My multiple boxes of frozen meat are melting in the back seat,” and “I was going 55 in a 55, or whatever the speed limit is in the area.”

There are many consequences of speeding. They include: greater potential for loss of vehicle control, increased stopping distance, less time for driver response for crash avoidance and increased crash severity leading to more severe injuries and death.

The Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety coordinated the enhanced effort.

 

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Dodge County Independent

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