Redmond Police leverage traffic safety grants to boost enforcement during Speed Awareness Month

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- March is Speed Awareness Month in Oregon, and the Redmond Police Department said it has secured grant funding to boost patrols intended to discourage speeding and reduce the likelihood of vehicle crashes on Redmond’s roads.  

Lt. Eric Beckwith said the department receives $5,000 from Oregon NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) grants, which help pay overtime for patrols that focus on speeding and related issues.

Speeding endangers everyone.  In 2021, speeding killed 12,330 people in the United States.  Speed limits are put in place to protect all road users.

Other speed -elated factors to consider include:  

• A greater potential for loss of control of your car.  

• Reduced effectiveness of brakes, seat belts and air bags.  

• Increased stopping distance.  

• More severe crashes, which can lead to serious injury or death.  

• The economic impact of a crash and loss of your car or work time.  

• Increased fuel consumption.  

Speed Awareness Month aims to remind drivers that they risk more than a ticket when they speed, Beckwith said.