Attorney General Matt Platkin, the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety (HTS), and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced today they are joining forces with law enforcement agencies across the state and the nation to raise awareness about the dangers of speeding and take immediate action to prioritize responsible driving habits and obey speed limits.

Beginning this week and lasting through July 31, law enforcement will intensify their efforts to enforce speed limits on roads throughout New Jersey.

As fatalities associated with speeding have risen nationally by 17 percent in recent years, this campaign will increase awareness about the dangers of speeding and the legal consequences of traveling over the speed limit.

Drivers will discover that if they are pulled over for speeding, they will be issued a ticket.

In 2021, the most recent data available, speeding killed 178 people in New Jersey, which accounted for 26 percent of all crash fatalities in the state that year. Young drivers and motorcyclists are especially prone to high speed crashes, and represent the largest demographic involved in speeding-related vehicle crashes.

Statewide, in 2021, 34 percent of all drivers involved in fatal speeding crashes were between 17 and 26 years of age, 79 percent were male and 21 percent were female drivers.

Overall, speeding endangers the lives of those behind the wheel and jeopardizes the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists who use our roadways. To combat this growing problem, law enforcement agencies have intensified their efforts to enforce speed limits and hold those who ignore them accountable.

Speeding creates and exacerbates hazardous conditions for drivers by hampering maneuverability around roadway curves and obstacles, and increasing the distance and time required for a vehicle to come to a complete stop.

In addition, speeding significantly elevates the risk of collisions and injuries as other vehicles and pedestrians may struggle to accurately assess distances and react appropriately.

The consequences of speeding – personal, societal, and legal – can be immense.

Drivers who disregard speed limits put themselves at risk of incurring penalties including fines ranging from $50 to $200, suspension of driving privileges, and the accumulation of points on their driving record.

Additionally, the financial burden of increased insurance premiums can persist for years to come, straining individuals’ financial stability. In the most severe instances where speeding leads to a serious crash or loss of life, drivers may even face the possibility of imprisonment.

Several HTS initiatives are currently underway to promote safety and reduce speeding on the roads. These include ongoing safety messaging and public awareness campaigns through broadcast media and web-based traffic and weather reports, focusing on speeding and other traffic safety related issues.

And to assist law enforcement with enforcement efforts, 55 yearlong, sustained enforcement grants totaling $2.5 million have been allocated to local, county, and state police agencies in 2023. These grants will target speed violations, as well as unbelted motorists and driver distraction.