Law enforcement will increase focus on speeding drivers next week

ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office will join law enforcement agencies throughout the state with an increased focus on drivers who are speeding from Aug. 14 to Aug. 21 as part of “Speed Awareness Week.”

The statewide enforcement campaign is organized by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee to intensify enforcement effort against speeding drivers and emphasize the severity of the problem, both locally and across the nation, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke said.

In 2021, 35 percent of all traffic fatalities in New York were caused by speeding, with 389 people killed and 2,256 people suffering serious injuries in these preventable collisions, Bourke said.

“Speeding endangers not only the life of the speeder, but all people on the road around them,” he said.

Drivers who speed also tend to engage in other risky behaviors, such as not wearing a seat belt and alcohol impaired driving, he said.

Governor Kathy Hochul said law enforcement agencies throughout state will be increasing patrols to target speeding from Aug. 14 to Aug. 21. “

There are countless risks and tragic consequences to speeding, and I want all New Yorkers to be mindful of the speed limits in your area,” Hochul said. “This enforcement campaign will be crucial not only to catch speeders but also to encourage all drivers to maintain safe speeds on our roadways, and I encourage all New Yorkers to take your time and get to your destination safely.”