State's Speed Awareness Week in effect

ALBANY | The Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) has announced that law enforcement agencies throughout New York State will be increasing patrols to target speeding from Monday, Aug. 4, through Sunday, Aug. 10. Speed Awareness Week is a high-visibility enforcement to curb speeding and prevent avoidable crashes caused by unsafe speed. In addition to the special enforcement detail, GTSC recently launched "Speeding Is No Game. You Don't Get a Second Life," a digital media campaign to highlight the dangers of speeding. Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder said, "Speed Awareness Week is a campaign with the sole goal of reminding drivers to simply slow down. It's important to remember that getting a ticket for speeding is one of the more minor consequences of choosing to drive unsafely. Planning a few extra minutes to reach your destination to avoid speeding could save your life or someone else's." According to preliminary data from the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research at the University at Albany's Rockefeller College, unsafe speed was a contributing factor in 307 fatal crashes in 2023, including drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Data shows fatal crashes in New York caused by unsafe speed increase during the summer months with the highest totals in June through October. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speed was a contributing factor in 29 percent of all traffic fatalities nationally in 2022. According to NHTSA, speeding causes Greater potential for loss of vehicle control Reduced effectiveness of occupant protection equipment Increased stopping distance after the driver perceives a danger Increased degree of crash severity leading to more severe injuries Increased fuel consumption/cost During last year's Speed Awareness Week, law enforcement throughout the state issued 51,946 tickets, including 11,494 for speeding and 2,338 for distracted driving. New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, "Vital initiatives like this provide a unified effort in raising awareness about the dangers of speeding and reckless driving. As the summer travel season continues, we want drivers to remember that speeding can bring tragic, but preventable consequences. I thank the Department of Motor Vehicles for their shared diligence in keeping our roads and highways safe for all that travel them."

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State's Speed Awareness Week in effect

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