FLINT, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – If you have a tendency to driver faster than the posted speed limit, take note. Police agencies across Michigan are planning extra overtime patrols to target speeders from now through February.
The enforcement stems from what they say is an alarming rise in speeding and deadly crashes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
MORE NEWS: Ann Arbor Wants EV Truck That Ford Is Considering Cancelling
The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning says 237 people died in crashes statewide caused by excessive speed in 2021, which represents an 18.5% increase over 2020.
That increase coincides with national statistics as well. Across the U.S., 11,258 people died in crashes involving a speeding driver in 2020, which represents an 18% increase over 2019.
The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute says Michigan drivers were involved in 24,555 speed-related crashes. That marks a 10.3% increase from the 22,260 speed-related crashes in 2020.
