September is Speed Awareness Month, and the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office is working to keep everyone on the road safe by raising awareness about the dangers of speeding and urging drivers to obey speed limits.
Throughout September, deputies will be taking part in high visibility enforcement through a grant from Oregon Impact to reduce speeding in our communities. If a driver is pulled over for speeding, he or she will be issued a ticket for breaking the law.
From 2013 to 2022, there were 1440 speeding-related fatalities in the state of Oregon, accounting for 30% of total traffic fatalities. Young drivers and motorcyclists are especially susceptible to high speeds, and they represent the largest demographic involved in speeding-related vehicle crashes.
“Speed limit signs are not suggestions, they are the law,” said Lt. Josh Roberts. “They are posted for the safety of the driver and others in that particular area. Unfortunately, we see people speeding every day. If you’re killed in a crash, or if you kill someone else, that’s it – there’s no second chance. Speeding just isn’t worth the risk.”
Much like impaired driving, speeding is a choice that has deadly consequences for the driver, vehicle passenger, and others using the road. Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to steer safely around another vehicle, a hazardous object, or an unexpected curve. Even the safest cars with the newest technologies are limited in how much they can help reduce the odds of a crash.
According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), local roads are more dangerous than highways for speeders. It’s a common misconception that speeding is an interstate-related issue: In fact, in 2022, 87% of all US speeding-related traffic fatalities occurred on routes other than interstates.
“We are asking our community to please slow down,” said Lieutenant Roberts. “Our goal is to save lives, and we’re putting all drivers on alert — the posted speed limit is the law. No excuses.” For more information, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding.
