Speeding is far from a mere violation of traffic laws.

Aggressive driving puts drivers and passengers at risk. It also impacts the lives of all roadway users, including pedestrians and bicyclists.

Michigan State Police, along with city and county police departments across the state, are utilizing federal highway safety funding to conduct dedicated speed enforcement throughout July.

The goal is to help save lives and change risky driving behaviors, including speeding, said Katie Bower, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning.

“Each speeding vehicle is a potential catalyst for tragedy, adding to the grim tally of preventable fatalities and crashes each year,” Bower said. “It is our hope this speed enforcement period will help lessen the impact of dangerous, impatient drivers this summer. While some people may focus on fines for speeding, the biggest issues are how many lives are put at risk because of speeding and how many crashes could be avoided if drivers simply slowed down,” she said.

In Michigan, a review of speed-involved data from 2022 analyzed by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute found:

— 13.2% of unrestrained drivers involved in crashes were speeding.

— 10.6% of drivers aged 15 to 20 involved in crashes were speeding.

— 14.3% percent of motorcycle operators involved in crashes were speeding.

“We are in the busy, warm-weather season with many families driving to their favorite summer destinations,” Bower said. “Unfortunately, there will be drivers who put everyone at risk by speeding and driving recklessly, making crashes more likely.”

Nationally in 2022, there were 12,151 fatal crashes in which one or more drivers were speeding. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 87% of those speeding-related fatalities occurred on non-interstate roads.

A Speed Awareness Day enforcement campaign is set for July 31. Wisconsin agencies on that day will join a regional effort to raise awareness and save lives.