PROGRAMS

Speeding

Overview

Over half the fatal and serious injury collisions on Washington roads are due to drivers traveling either at speeds that exceed the posted limit or at speeds that are too fast for conditions.  Most drivers seem unaware of the fact that the faster they drive, the more likely they are to be in a collision; and, when driving fast, the more seriously they will be hurt if they get into a collision.
In order to respond to the number of speeding related collisions, the Traffic Safety Commission created a Speeding Program several years ago.

Speeding Pilot Project

In federal fiscal year 2007, the first year of the new Speeding Program, WSDOT data was analyzed to determine those areas in the state where additional enforcement and education might seriously reduce the number of speed related collisions.  Both Pierce and Snohomish Counties were identified as areas with a high number of collisions, dedicated law enforcement, and excellent data collection.  Pilot projects were developed in both counties.

Law enforcement from the police departments of Bonney Lake, DuPont, Eatonville, Fife, Lakewood, Puyallup, Ruston, Steilacoom, Sumner and Tacoma participated in the project as did the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Patrol.

Snohomish County law enforcement from the police departments of Arlington, Bothell, Brier, Edmonds, Lake Stevens, Marysville, Monroe, Mountlake Terrace, Sultan, Stanwood, Snohomish, Lynnwood and Mill Creek participated in the project as did the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Patrol.

The pilot project combined media, road signs, billboards and overtime funding for participating law enforcement agencies.  The enforcement plan was designed for and by Pierce and Snohomish County law enforcement.

Evaluation results indicate that this project was extremely successful at reducing both the average speeds and the percentage of drivers traveling over eleven miles over the posted speed limit.

Sustained Enforcement - X52

In order to maximize the funding available for the speeding program and in order to take the speeding pilot project statewide, the speeding program combined enforcement efforts with the impaired driving program for federal fiscal year 2008 and 2009.  This project is called “X52, Extra Patrols Every Week”. 

For information about the Sustained Enforcement (X52) project, please click on the X52 icon.

X52 - Extra Patrols Every Week to Target Speeding and Impaired Motorists On Washington Roads

Targeted Speeding Enforcement

More sophisticated data tracking by the WSDOT, the State Patrol, and the WTSC FARS unit, led to the development of a targeted speeding collision reduction project in FY 2009.  This project aims to zero in on roads in the state that have a high number of speeding related collisions and to provide enforcement on the days and times when collisions are most likely.  As these projects are just getting started, no evaluation results are yet available.

Statewide Speeding Enforcement

WTSC is currently working to plan a statewide speeding enforcement campaign that will deter speeding related fatalities and serious injuries across the state.  This new campaign will combine both media and extra enforcement.

Resource Information

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Slow Down or Pay Up Rack Card

Sgt. Garland Memorial Rack Card

Slow Down or Pay Up Poster

Slow Down or Pay Up Logo and Tagline

Slow Down or Pay Up Billboard Artwork

Contact Information

Fact Sheets
News Releases

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