Troopers made 3,742 stops over six weekends

The Minnesota State Patrol’s Project 20(22) saw great success over the summer in stopping dangerous driving behaviors. Troopers conducted high-visibility patrols around the state over six weekends from May through September. The initiative was launched to stop the deadliest traffic violations: excessive speeding, lack of seat belt use, distracted driving and driving while impaired (alcohol or drugs). It follows a horrific spike in fatal crashes involving excessive speeds over the past two years.

“You do not have to drive our roads for very long to realize the driving behavior exhibited by many motorists is unsafe and unacceptable,” said Col. Matt Langer, chief of the Minnesota State Patrol. “The goal of Project 20(22) was to make a difference and it did. I am proud of our troopers and allied agencies who worked hard during this project and who work hard each day to make our roads safer. “

Troopers worked in teams and with local law enforcement to have a visible presence and protect motorists during busy times on the road.

Project 20(22) was first created as Project 20 in October 1979 and operated through October 1982. The State Patrol and Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety worked together to bring it back as a statewide Toward Zero Deaths initiative.

Project 20(22) results:

• Stops: 3,742

• Speed enforcement: 2,773

• Seat belt enforcement: 144

• Distracted driving enforcement: 137

• Impaired driving arrests: 61

• Other arrests: 38

Top speeds:

• A 17-year-old pulled over for driving 113 mph in a 60 mph zone.

• A motorcyclist pulled over for 107 mph in a 60 mph zone.

• A driver clocked at 123 mph who actually admitted to driving 130 mph.

• A 16-year-old driving 102 mph in a 65 mph zone.

• A 58-year-old driving 112 mph in a 70 mph zone.

• An impaired motorcyclist pulled over for 100 mph in a 70 mph zone.

Speed-related fatalities (Jan. 1-Sept. 25)

• 2022: 92

• 2021: 129

• 2020: 86

• 2019: 58

• 2018: 82