by Kate Carlsen

and Angie Ward

Washington Traffic

Safety Commission

Between July 15-Aug. 7, law enforcement officers throughout Clallam County will be part of a statewide effort in search of speeding drivers.

With summer upon us, there are a lot more people out and about, both as pedestrians and as drivers.

Unfortunately some driving habits such as speeding don’t change. Driving at 30 miles per hour on dry pavement requires a stopping distance of 41 yards — that’s eight car lengths or almost half of a football field. (Source: Lawrence D. Woolf, Ph.D., “Staying Alive: The Physics, Mathematics, and Engineering of Safe Driving”)

“Speeding is a major contributing factor in fatal and serious injury crashes in Washington and therefore is a priority of Target Zero,” said Lowell Porter, director of the Traffic Safety Commission. “Well-publicized and highly visible speed enforcement is a proven combination that reduces fatal crashes. Obeying speed limits is something everyone can do to support highway safety in Washington.”

Take the quiz

How much do you know about the dangers of speeding? Try this short quiz below:

True or false: About 20 percent of all traffic fatalities in Washington involve speeding drivers.

Answer: False. More than 40 percent involve a speeder. (Source: Target Zero: Washington State’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan 2010)

True or false: A speeding ticket can cost as much as $411.

TRUE. The average speeding ticket in Washington is $156, but as your speed increases, so does the fine. In fact, a speeding ticket in Washington easily could cost more than $411. (Source: WTSC based on the AOC Bail Schedule)

True or false: Most of Washington’s traffic deaths occur on freeways.

FALSE. Most of Washington’s fatal and serious-injury crashes occur on rural roads, which often are unlighted and undivided. (Source: Target Zero: Washington State’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan 2010)

The Washington Traffic Safety Commission and the Clallam County DUI Traffic Safety Task Force urge all Washingtonians to take this speeding quiz.

Visit www.considerthisyourwarning.com for these and many more brain teasers. Results will be tabulated on the accuracy of Washington drivers’ answers and available in August.

For more information about the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, see www.wtsc.wa.gov.