Police, deputies arrest 81 drivers in July crackdown

Throughout July, Alexandria Police Department and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office conducted enhanced speed patrols and cited 81 motorists traveling at illegal speeds during a statewide speed enforcement campaign administrated by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety.

“Every time you get behind the wheel, put safety first – travel at the posted speed limit and reduce your risk for a crash,” said Alexandria Police Sergeant Kevin Guenther.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy Brandon Chaffins added, “The posted speed is the speed limit.”

Speeding is the most commonly reported factor in fatal crashes. Each year in Minnesota, speed contributes to more than 100 traffic deaths and 300 life-altering, serious injuries. In the three-year period 2007-2009 in Minnesota, speed contributed to six traffic deaths in Douglas County and 325 fatalities statewide – resulting in an economic impact of more than $390 million.

In Douglas County, a typical 10 mph over the limit speeding ticket can cost $125.

The speed enforcement and education effort is coordinated by the Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety. The campaign is a component of the state’s Toward Zero Death (TZD) program. TZD is a multi-agency approach to address traffic issues regionally through enforcement, education, engineering and emergency trauma care and response.

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