Media Release: Law enforcement focusing on select roadways to stop dangerous speeding

ROCHESTER, Minn. - The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office is joining law enforcement statewide in an extra speed enforcement and awareness campaign running through Sept. 2. This coincides with the “100 deadliest days” on Minnesota roadways, Memorial Day through Labor Day. As part of these efforts, we are also participating in the Highways 14, 19 and 60 Border-to-Border (B2B) Speed Saturation on Thursday, July 3.

Expect to see an increased law enforcement presence along Highway 14 throughout Olmsted County and throughout Southern Minnesota. Law enforcement agencies also have the option to conduct saturations on shorter corridors in their jurisdictions.

Law enforcement will concentrate on speed enforcement as this violation continues to be a leading cause of death on Minnesota roads. The extra speed enforcement this summer is coordinated through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety and supported by local law enforcement. The enforcement and awareness efforts will help stop this dangerous driving behavior. Law enforcement will also be on the lookout for any driving conduct deemed hazardous to roadway safety.

While getting a ticket may be a primary concern for some, drivers statewide should worry about far more dangerous consequences:

• By the numbers: Memorial Day through Labor Day
  • 151 fatalities in 2024.
  • 44 speed-related fatalities in 2024.
  • 1,188 fatalities from 2017-2024.
• Preliminary figures show 477 people lost their lives on Minnesota roads last year.
• Between 2019 and 2024, there were 115,643 citations involving distracted driving in Minnesota.
• The four main contributors to fatal crashes remain consistent: speed (the leading contributing factor), impairment, lack of seat belt use and distraction. Last year, preliminary figures show each played a major role in Minnesota’s traffic deaths:
  • Speed – 137
  • Alcohol – 124
  • Unbelted – 106
  • Distracted – 30

Our goal is that every driver operates their vehicle safely, drives the posted speed limit and adjusts their speed to the conditions. But if drivers do not, we will take appropriate action to keep this a safe summer on our roadways for everyone. Our deepest concern is your safety and saving lives.