Exceeding the speed limit is more than just breaking traffic laws–it represents dangerous behavior that threatens the safety of everyone on the road. Driving at high speeds with impatience or carelessness not only puts the vehicle’s occupants at risk but also endangers pedestrians, cyclists and other motorists.

Data indicates that speed enforcement and public education efforts are yielding positive results in Michigan. To further encourage safer driving this summer, the Michigan State Police, as well as officers from city and county police departments across the state, will be conducting dedicated speed enforcement during the month of July.

In 2023, the state recorded 21,357 speed-involved crashes, reflecting a 20 percent decrease from the 26,700 speed-involved crashes reported in 2022–and a 32 percent decrease since 2019 (31,421 crashes), according to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.

“Some may fixate on the cost of a ticket, but the real concerns are the number of lives put in danger and the countless crashes that could be prevented if drivers chose to slow down,” said Alicia Sledge, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP). “While we are encouraged by the progress shown in the data, we hope that this dedicated speed-enforcement effort will help curb the reckless behavior of hurried drivers this summer.”

In Michigan, in 2023, a review of speed-involved data found:

Single motor vehicle crashes accounted for 72.2 percent of all speed-involved crashes.

Excessive speed was a factor in 210 fatalities (19.2 percent of all fatalities) and 6,848 injuries (9.6 percent of all injuries) in motor vehicle crashes.

The 210 speed-involved fatalities were a 5.8 percent decrease from the 223 fatalities in 2022.

“Even though speed-related crashes and fatalities are down, there are still too many drivers who put everyone at risk by speeding and driving recklessly,” Sledge said. “We are asking every Michigander to make an effort this summer to slow down.”

The July speed enforcement campaign is supported with federal traffic safety funds provided by the United States Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and administered by the OHSP.