Full Notification

An April 2013 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report analyzing 2011 data reported the following conclusions about the correlation between speed and traffic safety. Of 32,367 total traffic crash fatalities in the U.S. in 2011, 9,944, or 31%, were speed related. The state of Washington had 457 traffic fatalities that year, of which 165, or 36%, were speed related.

Of the 42 reportable accidents in Anacortes in the last two months of 2015, speeding was a factor in one incident, improper lane use in three incidents, negligent driving in three incidents, following too close in six incidents, and failure to yield in nine incidents. In short, Anacortes drivers with the intention to save time by driving fast or failing to properly yield the right of way to pedestrians or vehicles, paid in several ways by causing damage to their vehicles, property, and, in some cases, injury to themselves or others.

In an effort to educate the public and prevent avoidable accidents and injuries, the APD Patrol Unit is embarking on a traffic safety emphasis on speeding in the first two months of 2016. Take your time. Slow down. Arrive safely.