ST PAUL, Minn. — After seeing speeding take off for years now, public safety officials are asking the public: Why are we doing this?
According to Mike Hanson, the Department of Public Safety's Office of Traffic Safety director, about 20% of traffic-related fatalities on Minnesota roads were speed-related before the pandemic. It has now risen to about 30%.
"The purpose of the survey, is that we really want to find out why people are speeding," said Hanson. "What causes them to speed, and what it might take to get them to slow down."
About 1,000 respondents took the survey before the deadline at the end of March.
Respondents will participate in focus groups before the findings are published in the fall.
"We're still seeing our partners at the State Patrol citing over 1,000 people a year for driving more than 100 miles an hour," said Hanson.
Tony Zich was grabbing gas on Tuesday. He said while he tries to stay safe on the roads, there are times when he finds he has a lead foot.
"When I'm late for work, usually," he laughed. "Or late for something and I'm by myself. When my kids are in the car, I try to drive pretty safe."
Victoria Fritz said she has noticed people driving faster since the pandemic.
"I think they got used to having no one on the road and being able to go whatever speed they wanted," she said.
Valorie Jones lives in north Minneapolis and says that is where she sees the most reckless driving.
"They know that children live in those blocks, and they just fly up and down," said Jones.
The Office of Traffic Safety is partnering with a research firm and the project is going to run about $150,000.
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