WSP Begins Summer Speeding Patrols Friday

BELLEVUE, WA — State troopers will be making an extra effort to curb excessive speeding this weekend, as more drivers hit the road for summer travel. Washington State Patrol announced a regionwide "speed education and enforcement initiative" Friday through Sunday, joining agencies from 11 other states, which make up the Western States Traffic Safety Coalition.

WSP said June 25 - 27 was chosen to help dissuade risky driving habits before Independence Day — especially as highway travel returns to pre-pandemic levels.

"Beautiful weather and summer holidays often bring greater traffic volumes," said John Batiste, the WSP chief. "We expect this year to see significant pent-up demand to get out and get back to our pre-pandemic lifestyles. WSP and our partners in 11 other western states want you to know we are here to help you and your family stay safe this summer."

WSP said its entire coalition noted a surge in speeding in 2020, particularly at speeds of 100 mph or higher. Even while traffic volumes were down last year, troopers responded to more than 35,500 crashes in Washington and wrote more than 313,000 speeding tickets. As more people hit the road this summer, WSP said the emphasis patrols will help troopers proactively address speeding and bring down the number of crashes and deaths.

State police agencies from Oregon, Idaho, California, Montana, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming and Arizona are part of the coalition and will participate in speeding emphasis patrols over the same timeframe.