Michigan authorities crack down on speeding in July

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – Even if you feel like racing to your Fourth of July destination, Michigan State Police and other agencies are reminding drivers to go slow and safely.

“We are in the busy, warm season and many families are driving to their favorite summer destinations,” said Katie Bower, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning. “Unfortunately, there are drivers who put everyone at risk by driving too fast and recklessly, increasing the likelihood of an accident.”

Ahead of the holiday weekend, police departments across the state are cracking down on speeding, and thanks to federal funding, you can expect to see more police officers, sheriff’s deputies and state troopers on the roads this month.

“Every speeding vehicle is a potential catalyst for tragedy and contributes to the grim number of preventable deaths and crashes each year,” Bower said. “We hope this speed enforcement period will help reduce the impact of dangerous, impatient drivers this summer. While some people focus on the speeding fines, the biggest questions are how many lives are put at risk by speeding and how many crashes could be avoided if drivers simply slowed down.”

26,700 accidents with a driver who was driving too fast occurred on Michigan’s roadways in 2022, according to the Office of Highway Safety and Planning. This was an increase of 8.7% over 2021.

More than 200 of these accidents resulted in death.

In 2022, there were 12,151 fatal crashes nationwide in which one or more drivers were speeding.

6 News spoke with Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson via video call, and he pulled his car over to the side of the road to speak with our team.

“Without a doubt, speeding and not wearing a seatbelt kills, and when you add distraction to the mix, that’s why I stopped to do just that,” Swanson said. “Take driving and the roads seriously because they are unforgiving. It’s like water: you love it until it gets dangerous and then there’s no turning back. I think the message is, ‘Be careful when you drive, but be careful of other people too.’ You can drive defensively and save a life.”