‘Obey the sign or pay the fine’ enforcement begins Monday

Law enforcement officers across the state are gearing up for a two-week effort targeting speeders.

Speeding violations on Arkansas roadways continue to rise and law enforcement officers across the state plan to ban together in a united operation under the banner, ‘Obey the sign or pay the fine,’” according to Col. Bill Bryant, director of the Arkansas State Police and the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative.

The two-week crackdown directed at speeders begins Monday, July 18.

“It’s an acknowledged fact, as a motor vehicle speed increases, so do the risks of injuries and deaths on roadways,” said Bryant. “A driver exceeding the posted speed limit is less likely to avoid a hazardous object in the road, safely steer away from another vehicle or negotiate an unfamiliar curve or highway exit.”

Speeders put themselves and others at tremendous risk as noted in the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). During 2020, there were 11,258 people killed in speeding-related crashes, accounting for 29% of all fatal crashes in the United States.

Much like impaired driving, speeding is a selfish choice that can have deadly consequences for the driver, vehicle passengers, other drivers and pedestrians, according to Bryant. “Speeding not only affects a driver’s ability to steer properly, but also affects stopping distances,” he said. “Even the safest cars equipped with the newest safety technology have limitations in the advances made to reduce the odds of a crash.”

According to NHTSA, local roads are the most dangerous for speeders. The 2020 data shows that 87% of all speeding-related traffic fatalities on U.S. roads occurred on non-interstate roadways.

NHTSA considers a crash to be speeding-related if a driver was charged with exceeding the posted speed limit or driving too fast for conditions.

“During the upcoming special speed enforcement operation, state troopers and other law enforcement officers won’t be accepting excuses, the posted speed limit is the law,” Bryant said. “Our goal will always be to save lives.”

For more information on the “Obey the Sign, or Pay the Fine” mobilization, visit www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov or contact the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at 501-618-8136.