ROGUE VALLEY, Ore. – As part of a nationwide effort to curb speeding-related accidents, multiple local law enforcement agencies in the Rogue Valley are participating in Speed Awareness Month this March. The initiative is part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) campaign, Speeding Slows You Down, which aims to raise awareness about the dangers of speeding.
Throughout the month, local agencies, including the Eagle Point Police Department and the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, will have additional officers patrolling the roads with a specific focus on targeting speed violations. The heightened enforcement is designed to remind drivers of the risks associated with speeding and to encourage safer driving practices.
According to the NHTSA, speeding has been a contributing factor in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle deaths for over two decades. Despite the well-documented dangers, speeding continues to be a prevalent issue on the roads, leading to serious accidents and fatalities.
“Speeding does not save time—it only increases the likelihood of dangerous crashes,” said a representative from the Eagle Point Police Department. “This campaign is not just about issuing tickets, but about making drivers think twice before exceeding the speed limit.”
The Speeding Slows You Down campaign is a call to action for all drivers, emphasizing that speeding not only increases the severity of collisions but also reduces the ability to react in time to avoid potential hazards. With the extra patrols in place this month, officers are hoping to reduce speeding incidents and encourage more drivers to slow down.
The NHTSA’s Speed Awareness Month serves as an important reminder that road safety is a shared responsibility. Law enforcement agencies encourage the public to remain vigilant and to remember that the speed limits are set with safety in mind.
As the campaign continues through March, local authorities are urging drivers to make a conscious effort to abide by speed limits and drive cautiously, particularly in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic or hazardous road conditions.
For more information on the campaign and safe driving tips, the NHTSA website offers a wealth of resources to educate drivers on the risks of speeding and the importance of road safety.