Southeast Minnesota Law Enforcement Agencies Focus on Those Dying to Get Home

Olmsted County, Minn. – Law enforcement agencies across Southeast Minnesota will be partnering to prevent a tragic end to summer fun with an education and patrol campaign for motorists who are Dying to Get Home.

The Dying to Get Home campaign will run Friday, Sept. 3, from 4 to 7 p.m. and is being led by the sheriffs in Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona counties. A disproportionate number of fatal and serious injury crashes occur during this time of day as traffic volumes increase due to drive time commuters, students with after-school activities and people just wanting to “get home.”

“Whether you plan to celebrate Labor Day weekend at the lake, at the cabin, or in the backyard, we want everyone to make it home safely. Traffic crashes and the resulting fatalities and injuries are preventable,” says Olmsted County Sheriff Kevin Torgerson. “Speeding is a significant problem statewide. Enforcing that law and all traffic laws for the primary contributors to traffic fatalities, including impaired driving, no seat belts and distraction, is critical to saving lives.”

This campaign is unique in that participating law enforcement agencies will jointly saturate the southeast region of the state at a specific time of day. The goal is to protect Minnesotans on the road by encouraging safe driving choices and stopping dangerous driving behaviors.

This year, the state reported its 300th traffic death (preliminary) on August 28. This is the earliest date the state reached 300 traffic fatalities since 2007. As of Sept. 1, preliminary information shows there have been at least 104 speed-related traffic deaths.

Last year, preliminary reports show 122 motorists died in speed-related crashes, the most since 2008 (125). The 394 traffic fatalities in 2020 (preliminary) are the most in five years.

“We rely on each other to keep our neighbors safe,” said Sheriff Torgerson. “Speeding throughout our communities and region is a dangerous game that risks the lives of everyone you care about. Speeding might seem harmless and the easiest way to get to a destination quickly. But the next time you speed, remember, crashing your car could lead to losing the ones you love most and change countless lives forever.”

Speed-Related Traffic Fatalities

2010 - 86

2011 - 85

2012 - 74

2013 - 76

2014 - 94

2015 - 78

2016 - 89

2017 - 88 

2018 - 113

2019 - 75

2020 - 122                                   

Frightening Speeds Lead to Increased Citations

The Minnesota State Patrol has seen an alarming increase in speeding and the number of drivers going 100 mph or more. Through Aug. 26 of this year:

• They issued 58,074 speeding citations statewide compared with 52,503 at that time last year. They issued 833 citations statewide for 100 mph or more compared with 712 at that time last year.

Drive Smart: Avoid Speeding Risks

• Greater potential for loss of vehicle control.
• Increased stopping time and distance.
• Increased crash severity leading to more serious injuries and death.

A Costly Choice

• A citation may affect a person’s bank account, driving record or insurance rates, but the resulting change in behavior can be a lifesaver. A speed-related crash can lead to far worse consequences.
• The cost of a speeding violation will vary by county, but it will typically cost a driver more than $110 with court fees for traveling 10 mph over the limit. Fines double for those speeding 20 mph over the limit and drivers can lose their license for six months for going 100 mph or more.