SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has launched a statewide speed- prevention campaign to focus on one of the most dangerous behaviors on California roadways.

Driving at an unsafe speed is a significant factor in nearly 30% of all crashes statewide, according to the California Highway Patrol.

“Speeding puts everyone on the road at risk,” said California Highway Patrol Commissioner Sean Duryee. “Every additional mile per hour over the limit reduces a driver’s ability to react and increases the severity of a crash. Slowing down saves lives, it’s that simple.”

Last year, according to preliminary data from California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, more than 116,000 crashes were the direct result of unsafe speeds. Those crashes resulted in nearly 500 victims killed and more than 48,000 people injured.

So far this year, California Highway Patrol officers issued nearly 243,000 citations for speed-related violations, including more than 47,000 citations for speeds over 100 mph, nearly 183,000 citations for speeds exceeding 65 mph and more than 12,000 citations for driving too fast for the current road or weather conditions.

These numbers underscore the prevalence of dangerous speeding and underscore why the California Highway Patrol continues to prioritize speed enforcement.

Last month, the California Highway Patrol deployed 100 low-profile, specially marked patrol vehicles (SMPVs) across the state to help combat reckless and aggressive drivers who are putting lives at risk on California’s highways. These vehicles are designed to blend into traffic and detect these dangerous motorists before they realize they are being monitored. Officers operating this new generation of specially-marked patrol vehicles have issued more than 2,700 speeding citations to date.

By increasing patrol visibility with speed prevention campaigns and deploying new enforcement tools, the California Highway Patrol is sending a clear message: Speeding will not be tolerated. Drivers who choose to ignore posted speed limits face real consequences: citations, crashes and lives lost.

The California Highway Patrol reminds drivers that making safe choices behind the wheel is an especially important responsibility that matters every day. Obey the speed limit, drive responsibly and help keep California’s roads safe for everyone.