Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, and it’s also the time when police departments all across Minnesota come together to begin their latest statewide driving crackdown. The “100 Deadliest Days” enforcement period runs between Memorial Day and Labor Day with the goal of keeping people safe at a time when more people are on the roads.
“Even though you yourself might be a very safe and smart driver, we are sharing the roadways with a number of other people out there making very poor choices,” said Sgt. Jesse Grabow of the Minnesota State Patrol.
Although road conditions are better than what we normally see during a Minnesota winter, the clear roads mean that people feel like they can drive at much higher speeds, and speeding is a leading factor in non-fatal and fatal traffic accidents. The “100 Deadliest Days” campaign aims to make our roads safe at a time when more people are traveling, and they are doing so at higher speeds.
To help keep our roads safe, police all across the state will be looking for four specific driving behaviors that contribute to the majority of car accidents. The “fatal four” driving behaviors they’ll be ready to cite and arrest drivers for are:
- Speeding
- Distracted Driving
- Unbelted Driving
- Impaired Driving
Although seat belt use has continued to climb in recent decades, Sgt. Grabow mentioned that everyone should buckle up every time they get in a vehicle because you never know when an accident could strike.
“Always wear your seat belt,” Grabow said. “Nobody plans to be in a crash. But again, a seat belt is your best defense if you find yourself involved in a crash, whether it’s you losing control or somebody else running into you.”
A peak at the traffic data shows some cause for both optimism and concern. Although traffic fatalities are down in 2025 compared to this time last year, they still sit higher than pre-pandemic levels, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
“It may sound like a broken record, but lower speeds, paying attention to the road, and wearing your seat belt are key to reducing crashes and fatal crashes during the roads’ busiest time of the year,” Sgt. Grabow added about the newest enforcement period.
So please, mind your speed, put the distractions down, buckle up and never get behind the wheel when you’re impaired, and you should be able to steer clear of the enhanced police presence on the road. Of course, if you or someone you know ends up in trouble this summer and needs assistance contesting a ticket or a criminal charge, we hope you’ll reach out to Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm. We’ll go to bat for you and ensure you avoid a worst case scenario. For more information, or to talk to one of our lawyers during a one on one strategy session, pick up the phone and give our team a call today at (952) 224-2277.
