The state announced Monday that its giving lead-footed drivers five more mph, but those drivers will also be on a shorter leash.
Monday, the Minnesota Department of Transportation began putting up 60 mph speed limit signs on 930 miles of state highway that used to have 55 mph limits. They also initiated a strict new statewide program that will crack down on speeding.
Three highways in west central Minnesota will have increased limits -- U.S. Highway 71, state Highway 23 to the south of Willmar and state Highway 7/U.S. Highway 212.
Other roads in the state and the Twin Cities metro area will also see increases.
Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau said research has found that the increase will make roads safer.
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"Engineering shows that the 5 mph increase will foster consistent speeds and help motorists operate more safely," she said.
Currently, studies show, drivers on these roads drive anywhere between 55 mph and 65 mph. That difference in speeds is a potential safety hazard, Mn/DOT says.
Kandiyohi County Sheriff Dan Hartog said he's not sure how the speed increase will improve safety.
He says that speed, along with alcohol, is one of the biggest factors in traffic accidents.
"Generally people tend to cheat a little bit," Hartog said. "If the speed limit is 55, they go five over. The concern is, are people going to think they have this five to 10 mph cushion?"
Hartog he said he's worried about the increased speeds on two-lane highways, especially state Highway 7, which doesn't have much of a shoulder.
He said that two lanes are more dangerous for higher speeds because there are so many crossroads. He also said that two-lane roads have less visibility than four-lane roads.
But along with the increase in speeds on these roads, there will also be an increase in funding for those watching for speeders. $2.5 million in federal funds will go to pay overtime costs for state troopers, sheriff's deputies and city police officers throughout the state.
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State Patrol Lt. Mark Peterson said the money should pay for about 1,400 hours of additional law enforcement over the next year.
"Increased enforcement of traffic laws on our roads increases public safety for all," said Department of Public Safety Commissioner Michael Campion. "Illegal and unsafe speeding is as dangerous and costly as impaired driving and not wearing seat belts. It is not acceptable and will not be tolerated."
The Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Department is participating. Hartog plans on putting one deputy from each shift on traffic enforcement, which he said the county has never done.
His deputies, he said, will be strict with the speed limit, enforcing speed on a tighter relation to the limit.
"It'll keep us busy," he said.
