By Albert Lea Tribune

The Albert Lea Police Department will conduct speed patrols this week as part of a statewide speed enforcement effort. The campaign aims to combat a leading factor in deadly traffic crashes.

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

According to a news release, unsafe and illegal speed is the most commonly reported contributing factor in fatal crashes. From 2010-12, speed was a contributing factor in three fatalities in Freeborn County and 235 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.

“Blue skies and clear roads don’t mean it’s safer to travel at fast, dangerous speeds,” said Albert Lea Police Department Lt. Jeff Strom. “Summer is our deadliest season on the road and this campaign aims to pull over motorists who are driving too fast and aggressively.”

Police cite these dangers of speeding:

• Greater potential for loss of vehicle control

• Increased stopping distance. It takes more than the length of a football field to stop when traveling 60 mph.

• Less time available for driver response for crash avoidance.

• Increased crash severity leading to more numerous and severe injuries

The Albert Lea Police Department reports that a motorist traveling at 65 mph compared to 55 mph will save only 1 minute and 41 seconds on a 10 mile trip.

Approximately twice as many speed-related fatal crashes occur on rural roads than major urban roads.

Aggressive driving traits — such as tailgating, unsafe passing, running lights and weaving in and out of traffic — are another safety concern of the Albert Lea Police Department. Strom said motorists confronted by aggressive drivers should get out of their way, stay calm, do not challenge them and avoid eye contact. Motorists may also report aggressive driving and should be prepared to provide vehicle description, license number and location.

Motorists should keep a three-second following distance to allow for safe stopping and reaction to other vehicles. It takes more than the length of a football field to stop when traveling at 60 miles per hour.

Another safety concern in July is the record-high number of motorcyclists on the road. Strom said a major factor in rider deaths is unsafe speeds — more than half of all motorcycle crashes are single-vehicle events in which the rider loses control of the bike and runs off the road or crashes.He stressed for motorists to look twice for riders — especially at intersections — because motorcycles are smaller, and their speeds and distance can be harder to gauge.