Next week, police will step up enforcement of speed limits

From 19 to 25 April, the ROADPOL campaign “Speed Enforcement Week” will be organised in the European Union Member States. During this week, the State Police will pay increased attention to compliance with speed limits throughout the country, drawing road users’ attention to the fact that exceeding the speed limit poses a danger to road safety. From 6 a.m. on 21 April to 6 a.m. on 22 April, Latvia will also host a 24-hour speed enforcement marathon.

The State Police report that for several years, a “24-hour speed enforcement marathon” has been organised in the European Union Member States in spring. This year, however, this issue will be addressed not merely for one day, but for an entire week. Nevertheless, this year, too, a 24-hour speed enforcement marathon will be organised on one day during the ROADPOL campaign. In Latvia, it will take place from 6 a.m. on Wednesday, 21 April, until 6 a.m. on Thursday, 22 April, drawing public attention to the fact that exceeding the speed limit poses a danger to road safety.

“There are still drivers who do not realise how dangerous speed can be—exceeding the speed limit reduces a driver’s ability to detect and avert danger on the road in time, while increasing the risk to both themselves and those around them. The aim of this week is to carry out preventive measures to deter vehicle drivers from exceeding the speed limit, and also to encourage every driver to consider whether the few minutes gained by breaking the speed limit justify the risk created to their own safety and that of other road users,” emphasises Juris Jančevskis, Head of the Road Safety Administration of the State Police.

Although the police monitor compliance with traffic regulations on a daily basis, during “Speed Enforcement Week” the State Police will take additional measures to ensure road safety throughout Latvia and monitor road users to ensure that they comply with speed limits.

The State Police indicate that, as of 12 April this year, 18,354 speeding offences have been recorded, most of them in the Riga region. During the same period last year, the State Police caught 22,594 vehicle drivers exceeding the speed limit. In total, 78,046 speeding offences were recorded in 2020, including 26,682 in the Riga region.

Photo: Jelgava City Archive

Author:

State Police