July 24, 2023 – The Decatur Police Department and other law enforcement agencies are joining forces to combat speeding and distracted driving on July 26 for the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s annual Speed Awareness Day enforcement campaign.
NHTSA uses this day each year to bring awareness to a continuing trend of speeding and hazardous movement violations, which can lead to personal injuries and fatal crashes— in 2022, NHTSA projections showed 42,759 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes. The consequences of speeding are far-ranging, officials said, and affect more than the driver.
“Many people view speeding as less dangerous than impaired driving or distracted driving,” Decatur Police Department Sgt. Steve Hagemeyer said in a press release. “Data shows speeding continues to be a leading cause of injury and fatal crashes across the country.”
DPD said the campaign’s goal is to raise awareness and save lives, in line with the tagline “speeding wrecks lives.” Through zero-tolerance enforcement and effective communication with drivers on the road, DPD said its officers hope to reduce speeding and other potentially fatal behaviors, including cell phone usage.
For more information about NHTSA and other campaigns, click HERE.
Story by Andreas Walker.
