Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Albert Lea Police Department officers ticketed 74 motorists traveling at illegal and unsafe speeds during a stepped-up statewide July speed enforcement effort.

Unsafe and illegal speed is the most commonly reported contributing factor in fatal crashes. During 2008-11, speed was a contributing factor in four fatalities in Freeborn County and 254 traffic deaths statewide.

In Freeborn County, an average speeding citation for 10 mph over the limit is $120. Motorists stopped at 20 mph over the speed limit face double the fine, and those ticketed traveling more than 100 mph can lose their license for six months.

“When we increase our speeds behind the wheel, we increase our chances of crashing,” said Lt. J.D. Carlson. “This campaign was about educating motorists that speeding is a dangerous and potentially deadly habit.”

The speed enforcement and education effort is coordinated by the Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety.

The campaign is a component of the state’s Toward Zero Deaths program. A primary vision of the TZD program is to create a safe driving culture in Minnesota in which motorists support a goal of zero road fatalities by practicing and promoting safe and smart driving behavior.