Nearly 300 law enforcement agencies issued more than 51,000 speed citations during annual summer enforcement campaign  

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) released data from this summer’s annual “100 deadliest days” traffic enforcement campaign, highlighting the work of nearly 300 law enforcement agencies to stop dangerous drivers and prevent crashes. 

With federal grant funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) coordinated by OTS, officers across the state worked extra hours to target speeding, impaired driving and other dangerous behaviors.  

“By stopping dangerous driving before a crash happens, officers help save lives,” said Mike Hanson, director of OTS. “As the data shows us, we still have a lot of work to do to prevent these needless tragedies on our roads. Every driver has a role. Drive responsibly, buckle up, put the phone down, slow down and never drive impaired. If you see someone driving recklessly, speak up. You could help save a life.”   

The campaign results help OTS and law enforcement identify dangerous driving behaviors and target future enforcement and education efforts. This summer, officers made 1,431 driving while impaired (DWI) arrests and issued 51,615 speeding citations, including 68 citations for drivers traveling 100 miles per hour or more. Officers also handed out 159 Move Over Law citations.  

The full report of the summer citations made during the campaign can be found on the OTS website.  

Every fatal crash is a person, a family torn apart and a community harmed. While increased enforcement is helping address dangerous driving, 154 people still lost their lives in traffic crashes this summer. Each life lost underscores the importance of continuing these efforts. 

In the past four years, from Memorial Day through Labor Day, there were:  

• 154 traffic deaths (2026)  

• 114 traffic deaths (2025)  

• 149 traffic deaths (2024)  

• 163 traffic deaths (2023)   

Speeding extra enforcement  

Officers encountered drivers traveling at extremely dangerous speeds — stopping them before their dangerous behavior potentially resulted in a crash. There were 28 speed-related fatal crashes, according to preliminary data. The highest recorded speeds at which drivers were stopped were:  

• 146 mph: Minnesota State Patrol — East Metro  

• 141 mph: Gilbert Police Department  

• 140 mph: St. Francis Police Department  

• 137 mph: Shakopee Police Department  

• 133 mph: Minnesota State Patrol — West Metro  

• 133 mph: Minnesota State Patrol — Marshall  

• 133 mph: Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office  

Impaired driving extra enforcement  

Law enforcement was also on the lookout for drivers impaired by alcohol, cannabis, prescription medications or other substances this summer. Officers made 1,431 impaired driving arrests and there were 42 alcohol-related traffic fatalities, according to the preliminary count.  

The agencies with the most DWI arrests were:  

• 85: Minnesota State Patrol — West Metro  

• 58: South Lake Minnetonka Police Department  

• 46: Minnesota State Patrol — East Metro  

• 41: Rochester Police Department  

• 36: Cloquet Police Department  

Move Over Law extra enforcement   

As part of the campaign this year, law enforcement recorded the Move Over Law citations they issued. The Move Over Law requires drivers to move over or slow down when approaching emergency vehicles or stopped vehicles along the road. The Ted Foss Move Over Law is named after Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Ted Foss, who was conducting a traffic stop on the shoulder of Interstate 90 on Aug. 31, 2000, when he was hit and killed by a passing vehicle.   

The agencies with the most Move Over citations were:  

• 29: Minnesota State Patrol — Rochester  

• 15: Saint Paul Police Department  

• 9: Minnesota State Patrol — West Metro  

• 9: Moorhead Police Department  

• 8: Minnesota State Patrol — East Metro