Richfield Police to Step Up Speeding Enforcement Efforts

The Richfield Public Safety Department will begin a summer speeding enforcement campaign July 6 as an effort to combat the leading cause of deadly traffic crashes.

The campaign will run through July 21. The following is the Richfield Public Safety Department's press release on the speeding enforcement campaign:

Summertime sees an increase in temperatures, as well as an increase in speeding motorists. Richfield Police are conducting increased speed patrols, July 6–21, as part of a statewide speed enforcement effort. The campaign aims to combat a leading factor in deadly traffic crashes. The enforcement and education effort is coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety. 

Unsafe and illegal speed is the most commonly reported contributing factor in fatal crashes. During 2010–2012, speed was a contributing factor in 38 fatalities in Hennepin County and 243 traffic deaths statewide. Find fact sheets here: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots/reports-statistics/Pages/Fact-sheets.aspx

In Richfield, an average speeding citation for 10 mph over the limit is $128.  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. 

 “The posted speed is the speed limit and by following it we can prevent crashes,” says Sergeant Matt Steen. “As drivers, driving at safe speeds and keeping a safe following distance is crucial to our safety.” 

Consequences of Speeding

Richfield Police cites these dangers of speeding:

• Greater potential for loss of vehicle control.
• Increased stopping distance.
• Less time available for driver response for crash avoidance.
• Increased crash severity leading to more numerous and severe injuries.

Sergeant Steen reports that a motorist traveling at 65 miles per hour compared to 55 mph will save only 1 minute and 41 seconds on a 10 mile trip. 

Are You an Aggressive Driver?

Aggressive driving traits — such as tailgating, unsafe passing, running lights and weaving in and out of traffic — are another safety concern of Richfield Police. Sergeant Steen says motorists confronted by aggressive drivers should: Get out of their way, stay calm, do not challenge them and avoid eye contact. Motorists may also report aggressive driving and should be prepared to provide vehicle description, license number and location.

Three Seconds Is the Safe Following Distance

Sergeant Matt Steen says motorists should keep a three-second following distance to allow for safe stopping and reaction to other vehicles. It takes more than the length of a football field to stop when traveling at 60 miles per hour. 

Look Twice for Motorcyclists

Another safety concern in July is the record-high number of motorcyclists on the road. Sergeant Steen says a major factor in rider deaths are unsafe speeds — more than half of all motorcycle crashes are single-vehicle events in which the rider loses control of the bike and runs off the road or crashes. He stresses for motorists to look twice for riders — especially at intersections — because motorcycles are smaller, their speeds and distance can be harder to gauge.

Extra speed enforcement and education efforts are a part of the Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety Toward Zero Deaths traffic safety initiative. A primary vision of the TZD 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. TZD focuses on the application of four strategic areas to reduce crashes — education, enforcement, engineering and emergency trauma response.