Drivers, beware: Speed demons are roaming the roads!
If you've ventured out in the last two months, chances are you've noticed a disturbing new trend out on the road. News outlets are reporting on a spike in excessive speeding and other reckless driving behaviors.
"We've had half the traffic and twice the fatalities": How reckless driving and out-of-control speeding is making roads unsafe even with traffic way down https://t.co/9qLNstJmgT #roadsafety #speeding #cars
— Franz Schneiderman (@franzsch2) May 12, 2020
With many people staying home as a COVID-19 precautionary measure, area roadways are remarkably light on local traffic. We're talking "6 a.m. on Christmas morning" light, in case you need a visual. Law enforcement officers are seeing increased speeding as a result, with some drivers getting up to over 100 miles per hour.
.@Harford_Sheriff and @MDSP conducted speed enforcement this past weekend and had over 20 citations. Three vehicles were stopped doing 30 MPH or more over the posted 55 MPH speed limit – 100, 91, and 86.
— MD Highway Safety Office (@zerodeathsMD) May 12, 2020
Essential travel doesn’t mean speeding, #SLOWDOWN . #MDOTSafety pic.twitter.com/Vd6e9GtlKK
Everything's a little different these days, but the rules of the road are still the same. So be safe, not sorry and...
— VirginiaDMV (@VirginiaDMV) May 6, 2020
✔️ #BuckleUp
✔️ #SlowDown
✔️ #AvoidDistractions
✔️ #DriveSober
✔️ #MoveOver pic.twitter.com/bz3sCTB3GY
Because of the reduced volume of vehicles, work zones remain in place and paving projects remain ongoing. Some municipalities are even increasing road improvement work due to the lighter traffic. Now is not the time to ignore posted construction speed zones.
#Speeding was the main cause of this crash in I395 #WorkZone @ArlingtonVA 12:29 AM. Hyundai going north when 23 YO driver lost control, struck constrx trailer sign, crash impact attenuator, slid across the lanes, t-boned an SUV. Minor injuries. Lesson: #SlowYourSpeed @VaDOTNOVA pic.twitter.com/i92MXldicP
— VA State Police (@VSPPIO) May 6, 2020
All of the transportation authorities are hitting the public hard with public service announcements, clever messages on overhead signage, and tweets aimed at getting people to slow down.
Slow and steady wins the race, be the tortoise not the hare. Remember to always follow the rules of the road, especially through a #workzone. Stay alert and slow down so everyone can get home safely. pic.twitter.com/nQucOQSNVf
— VA Express Lanes (@VAExpressLanes) May 12, 2020
Our roads, our safety, #AmericaWorksTogether: Speeding endangers you and burdens first responders, already on the front line in the current public health emergency. pic.twitter.com/XhE14Rr9v1
— nhtsagov (@NHTSAgov) May 12, 2020
Regardless of the time of day, speeding is happening on both major roads and local streets. I saw this firsthand the other day on the Inner Loop of the Beltway. Even going about 65 miles per hour in the far right lane, people were passing me like I was standing still. COVID-19 didn't magically turn 495 into a NASCAR track, people, so stop driving like it did!
How do the roads look where you are? Have you noticed a big increase in excessive speeding in your area? Sound off in the comments!