The Minnesota State Patrol has announced that they will be conducting extra patrols this weekend as part of its Project 20(22) initiative, and these high-intensity patrols will be looking to crack down on speeding, distracted driving, DUIs and unbuckled drivers.
The crackdown will take place starting at 2 p.m. on Friday afternoon and conclude at 8 p.m. on Sunday night. 15 Minnesota State Patrol troopers will patrol the east metro freeways in the following counties:
- Chisago County
- Dakota County
- Washington County
Police are hoping that by announcing the crackdown ahead of time, more drivers will make smart decisions behind the wheel and police won’t have to stop as many drivers. With that said, since the crackdown has been announced and there will be no shortage of police in those east metro areas, it seems unlikely that you’ll get let off with a warning if you are pulled over during the extra enforcement.
More Crackdowns To Come
This weekend’s crackdown is just another in a series of crackdowns across the state as part of Project 20(22). A previous campaign in the Brainerd Lakes area in mid-May yielded 786 traffic stops, 602 of which were for speeding.
“This continued enforcement will help make Minnesota roads safer by stopping dangerous driving behaviors,” said chief of the Minnesota State Patrol Col. Matt Langer, in a statement.
We’ll try to remind everyone of the future crackdowns when they get closer, but they have already been announced by the State Patrol. Here’s a look at the upcoming crackdowns across Minnesota:
July 15-17 – Twin Cities Metro freeways
Aug. 5-7 – Interstate 35 from Pine City to Duluth
Sept. 16-18 – Interstate 94 between Moorhead and Rogers
Although the summer weather makes for more ideal driving conditions, it also means more people will be traveling and doing so at higher speeds, so make it a point to practice safe driving manuevers all summer long. And if you or someone you know ends up with a speeding ticket or in trouble for a different traffic violation, consider reaching out to the team at Appelman Law Firm to learn more about your options for contesting the ticket. For more information, or to set up a free consultation with a member from our firm, give our team a call today at (952) 224-2277.
