COPS CAUTION: NO NEED FOR SPEED
Dangerous drivers pushing pedal to metal
Motorists are taking social distancing to the extreme on roads left wide open by coronavirus closures, turning highways into danger zones by clocking speeds in excess of 100 mph, tickets show.
Massachusetts police issued 15,071 speeding citations in March and April — including 259 drivers nabbed at speeds of 100 mph or more, according to data obtained through a Herald public records request.
“This is extremely dangerous driving behavior and shows an utter disregard for human life,” said state police spokesman David Procopio. “If you don’t think enough of your own life to keep from driving that fast, think about the innocent motorists whose lives you are jeopardizing — people’s loved ones whose safety is threatened by your stupidity.”
The 15,000 citations issued by state troopers and various municipal police departments in
March and April are lower than the 33,792 reported in the same time period last year. Yet at the same time, MassDOT reported roughly 50% less traffic this April than last.
“It’s really just a disturbing and alarming trend,” said Mary Maguire, AAA Northeast director of public and legislative affairs. “It is very difficult to survive a crash when you are going 90 mph or 100 mph. You are really risking your life and the lives of others.”
Cops cracking down on speeders clocked one person driving 140 mph in a 65 mph zone in Stoughton. One driver hit 130 mph in a 65 mph zones in Ludlow, while another did the same in North Attleboro.
A driver in Yarmouth was logged going 125 mph on a 55 mph road, while another in Lincoln hit 110 mph in a 45 mph zone.
“So many people do it,” said Albert Ortiz, 44, a local tow company driver. “They don’t care about the rules. I feel worried because they could cause an accident and kill someone.”
Police cited 1,035 drivers for speeds of 90 mph to 100 mph, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation records show. And 2,518 were caught for speeding between 80 mph and 90 mph.
The state’s roadway fatality rate also rose in April, with 28 deaths reported despite reduced traffic, compared to 27 in April 2019.
State police are looking to curb the need for speed through a grant-funded Open Roads Speed Reduction Initiative. Troopers have handed out 1,204 citations or warnings for speeding since April 26 during the extra patrols and Procopio said officers are catching at least one driver going 100 mph or more “just about every shift.”
Electronic highway signs have been urging drivers to observe speed limits and “practice vehicle distancing” amid the speeding epidemic. And officials expect fewer people to drive fast and furious as restrictions ease and traffic increases with people going back to work.
But the message is clear: slow down.
“Pandemic or no pandemic,” Procopio said, “we are out there looking for you.”