California cops launch statewide crackdown — with speeding drivers in their sights

Speeding drivers across California are in the crosshairs as authorities roll out a statewide enforcement blitz — backed by sobering crash data.

The California Highway Patrol began a 24-hour “Maximum Enforcement Period” at 6 a.m. Tuesday, targeting motorists who push past the speed limit, according to ABC7.

The crackdown comes after CHP officers issues more than 491,000 speeding tickets last year, while preliminary figures show speeding played a role in more than 110,000 crashes — leaving over 400 people dead and roughly 68,000 injured,

“Speeding continues to be one of the leading causes of serious and fatal crashes on California’s roadways,” CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said, warning that higher speeds reduce reaction time and increase danger for everyone on the road.

The enforcement push runs through Wednesday morning, with officers stepping up patrols statewide.

It also coincides with a newer state effort aimed at cracking down on extreme speeding.

Under the Forwarded Actions for Speeding Tickets — or FAST — program, drivers caught going more than 100 mph can have their cases automatically sent to the DMV, where licenses may be suspended or revoked, according to the report.

Some drivers said the stepped-up enforcement is already changing behavior.

“I don’t want a ticket,” Cleve McWright told ABC7. “I don’t even want to deal with Highway Patrol, so I try to stay under the speed limit.”

But he added that speeding remains a common sight on California roads.

“It’s pretty bad — on the highways and even on the surface streets.” McWright said.

Another motorist said officers were already pulling drivers over nearby as the enforcement period got underway.

“We;re definitely employing methods to go ahead and conserve on gas,” Paula said. “I’ve never been pulled over so I don’t know what a big, fat speeding ticket looks like… maybe, like two miles bacl, they were already pulling people over.”

For Paula the message is simple.

“I think always people need to slow down,” she added.

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