West Virginia Drivers: “Slow Down and Obey the Speed Limit”

CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) is launching a statewide high visibility enforcement (HVE) campaign to crackdown on speeding.

The enforcement effort will kick off with an event on September 6 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., involving law enforcement agencies across the state. The targeted enforcement will continue through September 22.

The GHSP is reminding drivers to obey posted speed limits, as speeding is a major factor in traffic fatalities. In 2022, there were 12,151 speeding-related crash fatalities, accounting for 29% of all traffic deaths – a 2.8% decrease from 2021. Young drivers and motorcyclists are especially prone to high-speed crashes, with 35% of male and 19% of female drivers aged 15-20 involved in fatal crashes speeding, as well as 35% of all motorcyclists killed.

“Speed limit signs are not suggestions, they are the law,” said Jack McNeely, Director of the GHSP. “Speeding reduces your ability to control your vehicle and react to hazards. It’s a selfish choice with deadly consequences, not just for the driver but for everyone on the road.”

In fact, 87% of 2022 speeding-related fatalities occurred on roads other than interstates, debunking the misconception that speeding is mainly an interstate issue. The GHSP is urging all drivers to slow down and obey speed limits to save lives.

For more information on the dangers of speeding, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding . To learn about the GHSP’s efforts, go to highwaysafety.wv.gov or call 304-926-2509.