For the past 10 years, border-to-border patrols from law enforcement agencies across the state worked together to stop deadly driving across Minnesota. This year is no different.
As part of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety’s “100 deadliest days” campaign on Minnesota roadways, (Memorial Day through Labor Day), four Rice County agencies are participating in the Border-to-Border (B2B) Speed Saturation.
From July 1 through Sept. 2, expect to see an increased law enforcement presence along Highways 14, 19 and 60 throughout southern Minnesota focused on the big four deadly driving behaviors: impairment, speeding, not using a seat belt and distraction. Each of those behaviors is associated with over 90% of traffic deaths.
While getting a ticket may be a primary concern for some, drivers statewide should worry about far more dangerous consequences.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day last year, there were 111 fatalities on Minnesota roads:
In 31 of them, someone was speeding.
In 37, one of the drivers had consumed alcohol.
In 16 of the deaths, the victim was not wearing a seat belt.
In five of those crashes, one of the drivers was distracted.
Last year, we saw improvement in safety on our roads, but even one death is one too many. We must continually work toward zero traffic deaths and to prevent serious injuries.
In 2025, there were 388 speed-related serious injuries and 102 speed-related fatalities. Both of these counts are the lowest yearly totals we’ve seen since 2019.
There were 166,284 speed-related citations issued in 2025, more than 166,000 bad decisions.
One stop was for a motorcycle going 130 mph in a 60-mph zone.
Drivers, take note — you will not get to your destination much faster if you speed, and you will not make it at all if you are in a fatal crash.
Our goal is for every driver to operate their vehicle safely, drives the posted speed limit and adjusts their speed to the conditions. If drivers do not, we will take appropriate action to keep this a safe summer on our roadways for everyone. Our deepest concern is your safety and saving lives.
