Since the COVID-19 pandemic began more than two years ago, law enforcement agencies across the nation have reported an alarming rise in speeding and fatal crashes.

To combat this disturbing and dangerous trend, the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Region 5 Office are once again partnering on a regional traffic safety campaign. As part of the Great Lakes, High Stakes campaign, dozens of municipal, county and Michigan State Police (MSP) law enforcement agencies across Michigan will focus on speeding drivers between June 18 and 26.

Nationally in 2020, 11,258 traffic fatalities involved crashes in which one or more drivers were speeding, an increase of 18 percent over 2019 (9,478 fatalities).

“Speeding continues to be a critical issue in Michigan that leads to many needless crashes, serious injuries and fatalities on our roadways,” said Alicia Sledge, interim director of the OHSP. “It has been proven that the faster you drive the greater your risk of dying in a crash. We hope this increased enforcement over the coming weeks will help change these dangerous driving behaviors and save lives.”

In Michigan, the number of traffic crashes rose from 245,432 in 2020 to 282,640 in 2021, an increase of 15 percent. There was also a rise in fatalities (1,131 in 2021 compared to 1,083 in 2020).

Also in Michigan, according to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, in 2020:

– There were 200 speed-related fatalities on Michigan roadways compared to 185 in 2019, an 8 percent increase.

– 6.4 percent of male drivers involved in all traffic crashes were speeding.

– 15.2 percent of motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes were speeding.

– 11.2 percent of drivers in the 15- to 20-year-old age group involved in crashes were speeding.

– 15.1 percent of all drivers who were drinking in crashes were speeding.

Recent insurance industry studies show that approximately 112,000 speeding tickets are issued each day, or about 41 million per year. The average fine for a speeding violation is between $115 and $135.