Statewide Speed Limit Enforcement Campaign ends this weekend

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Drivers throughout Missouri should be mindful of speed limits as the weekend approaches.

The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety announced a speed limit enforcement campaign that started on Oct. 10 and ends this Sunday.

"Saving a few extra minutes on your commute is not worth the increased risk of being involved in a crash that could endanger your own life or the lives of everyone else on the road," said Jon Nelson, chair of the executive committee of the coalition. "Speed is one of the most common contributing factors for fatal crashes in Missouri and, unfortunately, the data shows it's only becoming more prevalent. We want to change that."

Officials say speed-related crashes have increased despite less traffic during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Missouri alone -- there has been an 11 percent increase in fatal crashes this year, and 32 percent of statewide crashes are speed-related.

Officials will be actively enforcing statewide speed limits until Sunday.