Sheriff Robert Sorenson announces the Cass County Sheriff's Office will participate in the 2023 National Speed Prevention High Visibility Enforcement Overtime Grant. Additional patrols will be scheduled with an emphasis on speed violation through the month of July.  

Slow Down: Speeding Catches Up With You

Speeding is a dangerous and aggressive behavior that accounts for more than one-quarter of all traffic-related fatalities nationally. In 2021 alone, there were 12,330 people killed in speeding-related traffic crashes. This loss of life represented a dramatic increase (17%) in speeding-related crash fatalities from 2019-2020, with another projected 5% increase from 2020 to 2021. The Cass County Sheriff's Office is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to remind drivers to stop speeding and to help put an end to this risky driving behavior. NHTSA and Cass County Sheriff's Office will host the speeding campaign Speeding Catches Up With You from July 10 - 31, 2023

The past few years have seen an increase in risk-taking and careless driving. No matter how safe of a driver you think you may be, speeding is dangerous. Speed limits aren't a suggestion, they are the law. Obeying these posted speed limits keep drivers and passengers safe. Although advancements in vehicle safety and passenger protection have progressed extraordinarily over the past few decades, it is still a driver's responsibility to control their speed while behind the wheel.

There are many reasons drivers choose to speed, but lateness, traffic, and a general disregard for others are the main culprits behind this risky behavior. Much like impaired driving, speeding is a selfish choice that can have deadly consequences for the driver, vehicle passengers, or other pedestrians. Speeding reduces a driver's ability to steer safely around another vehicle, a hazardous object, or an unexpected curve.

"The effects of speeding are deadly," said Sheriff Sorenson. "Drivers utilizing Hwy 75-34, 1, 66 & 50  

should be especially aware of this campaign and their speed. These are the areas where many of our speeding-related crashes occur," said Sheriff Sorenson.

Young people and motorcyclists are especially susceptible to high speeds, and they represent the largest demographic involved in speeding-related vehicle crashes. In 2020, 27% of male drivers ages 18-44 and 16% of female driver's ages 18-44 involved in fatal crashes in 2020 were speeding.

Alcohol and weather also increase the likelihood of a crash while speeding. In 2020, 37% of the drivers involved in fatal crashes were speeding and had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, compared to 17% of non-speeding drivers. And the chances of a vehicle crash on wet roads increases drastically when a driver is speeding.

"We are urging our town to please slow down and obey the posted signs," said Sheriff Sorenson. "The choices you make behind the wheel could help save lives. Ultimately, Speeding Catches Up With You."

For more information, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding.