Patrol provides results of high speed enforcement campaign

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, recently provided to the public the results of the Patrol’s high speed enforcement campaign. From noon to midnight each day on July 17-18, 2020, troopers’ enforcement activity included:

Citations for moving violations – 668

Warnings – 1,256

Traffic Stops – 2,557

Speed Citations – 598

Seat Belt Citations – 264

Motorist Assists – 513

Crashes – 119

It is worth noting that 200 of the 598 speed citations were to motorists traveling 20+ mph over the speed limit.

This high speed enforcement campaign was an effort to address a drastic increase in egregious speed and hazardous moving violations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fatal crashes have increased dramatically in Missouri, despite a period of significantly lower traffic volume. Currently, Missouri is experiencing a 16 percent increase in traffic fatalities compared to last year.

Across the state, the Missouri State Highway Patrol has seen a 58 percent increase in speeds at or above 26 mph over the speed limit from January through June 2020 when compared to the four-year average. Troopers issued 4,869 summonses to drivers traveling 26 mph or more over the speed limit during that time. The data shows the most common violators are between the ages of 15 and 29. Most of the speed violations occur during the weekend.

Col. Olson reminds the public speed is one of the leading contributing factors to fatal traffic crashes. There is never a good reason for a motorist to exceed the speed limit and endanger others. Virus or not, troopers remain vigilant and are enforcing the law. Troopers with the Iowa State Patrol, Arkansas State Police, Nebraska State Patrol, and Kansas Highway Patrol joined Missouri’s troopers in the enforcement campaign. All officers focused on enforcing traffic laws related to excessive speed, hazardous moving/aggressive driving, and distracted driving.