New York observing ‘Speed Awareness Week’ through August 21

Drivers with a heavy foot beware, New York State Police and local law enforcement agencies have teamed up to crackdown against speeding.

During the month of August, New York traditionally observes Speed Awareness Week, a traffic enforcement campaign supported by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.

The purpose, according to Governor Hochul, is to raise awareness to the number of crashes caused by unnecessary speed. "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," Governor 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."

This year’s speed enforcement campaign kicked-off on Sunday, August 14 and runs all the way through August 21.

According to preliminary data from the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research at the University at Albany's Rockefeller College, unsafe speed was a contributing factor in 353 fatal crashes in 2021, compared to 317 fatal crashes in 2020 — an 11 percent increase.

The 353 fatal crashes last year resulted in 389 deaths including drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

During last year's campaign, law enforcement statewide issued 23,087 tickets for speeding and 32,170 tickets for other vehicle and traffic law violations, such as impaired and distracted driving.

Image courtesy via the New York State Police.