PRESS RELEASE
The State Police today announced that they will step up speed enforcement efforts along the New York portion of U.S. Highway 20 on March 14, 2023. The one-day corridor project, which is targeted at reducing speed related crashes on non-interstate highways was created by the Iowa State Patrol. New York State Police is among eight other states participating in the campaign.
“Speeding contributes to over one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities across the nation,” said New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli. “Keeping our roadways safe for all is one of our top priorities, and partnering with law enforcement agencies across the county to support initiatives like this are vital to raising awareness about the dangers of speeding and reckless driving. It reminds motorists to be mindful of the speed limit, be alert and aware of their surroundings, and to slow down.”
Drivers can expect to see increased patrols by State Police and local law enforcement agencies during the morning and evening drive times. Troopers will be using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles as part of this crackdown in order to more easily identify motorists who are violating the law. CITE vehicles allow the Trooper to better observe driving violations. These vehicles blend in with everyday traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.
U.S. Highway 20 spans 3,365 miles coast to coast. New York State has jurisdiction over 372 miles of the highway. This is the second time New York State Police is participating in the campaign. In addition to New York, other participating states include Iowa, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 11,258 individuals were killed in speed-related accidents across the country in 2020 and speeding contributed to 29% of all motor vehicle fatalities.