CHP Issues 2,500 Speeding Tickets In 30 Days: CA Stay-Home Order

CALIFORNIA — Those electronic freeway signs urging Californians to save lives by staying home to slow the spread of the new coronavirus will now include another message. Citing an 87-percent increase in speeding tickets for motorists driving over 100 mph in the 30 days since coronavirus-related stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders went into effect across California, three state agencies said Wednesday they are teaming up to urge drivers to slow down.

The speed violations correlate with decreased traffic volumes during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a joint news release from Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol and the California Office of Traffic of Safety.

"Fewer cars on the road doesn’t give drivers the green light to travel over the speed limit," OTS Director Barbara Rooney said. "Driving at a safe speed when you must go out is one way to keep you and your family safe during this pandemic."

The CHP says it issued 2,493 citations statewide for drivers going over 100 mph between March 19 when the state’s stay-at-home order began and April 19 — compared to 1,335 during the same period last year.

"It is alarming to see the number of citations officers are writing for excessive speeds on California roadways," CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said. "Higher speeds can lead to much more serious injuries and significantly increase the chance of death should a crash occur. Keep yourself and those on the road around you safe. Slow down and drive at a safe, legal speed."

This increase in speeding tickets has taken place as Caltrans has measured an average decline in traffic volume on state roads of approximately 35 percent as compared to this time last year.

"Excessive speed and unsafe driving threaten everyone using our highway system," Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin said. "Viewing less congested roads as an invitation to drive dangerously jeopardizes the safety of construction and maintenance crews who are working to maintain reliable access to our highways when people need it most."

Because of the leap in the number of speeding violations, more than 700 electronic highway signs across the state of California are to soon display the following types of safety-related messages:

• "IF YOU MUST TRAVEL, DO NOT SPEED"
• "KEEP ESSENTIAL WORKERS SAFE DO NOT SPEED"

The agencies also reminded Californians that the state's "Move Over" law continues to be in effect and requires all drivers to move over a lane or, if unable to safely do so, slow down when they see amber flashing lights on Caltrans vehicles, law enforcement and emergency vehicles, and tow trucks.

During the COVID-19 crisis that to date has sickened nearly 36,000 Californians and resulted in the deaths of 1,340 of the state's residents, Caltrans says it is maintaining all critical functions, including ensuring roadway access to medical facilities and providing routes for the transport of food and other essential goods needed throughout the state.

Some non-essential work has been deferred to limit spread of the COVID-19 virus, but maintenance and construction crews are still addressing hazards, safety concerns and other critical functions on the highways, Caltrans says.

"Please slow down and Be Work Zone Alert."