Hundreds Caught Speeding On I-25 On Saturday

January 29, 2011 4:44 PM

(credit: CBS)

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DENVER (CBS4) – The Denver Police Department was out in full force on Saturday catching speeders on Interstate 25 near 48th Avenue.

In just seven hours officers were able to catch hundreds of drivers going well over the limit. They’re using a $93,000 grant from the Department of Transportation for speed enforcement.

“Your risk of death goes up in a crash exponentially as your speed increases,” Sgt. Kevin Edling said.

Just north of the Mousetrap is a problem area. Last year there were three fatalities where speeding was a factor.

“It’s very serious. You’re traveling faster, your reaction time has to be quicker and your visibility is very limited in certain spots on I-25,” Edling said.

One by one cars were pulled over. It’s a well-organized process — a laser operator spots a speeder, clocks the speed, then radios the patrol cars up ahead so the officer knows exactly who to pull over.

In just two hours almost 100 tickets were written. By the afternoon that number more than doubled. Police hope the speed trap will slow drivers down and keep them safe.

“The time that you’re saving is very minimal compared to the risk you’re putting yourself through and the other drivers through,” Edling said.

Among the arrests was a motorcyclist who was traveling 122 miles per hour.

Denver police will continue the enforcements throughout the year.

Joe Smith, Loveland

Gee, we soooo need this kind of enforcement. I bet there would be so many accidents if they weren’t out there. Thank you mommy government for your efforts – how could we ever live without you?
Heather

Right on, Joe! Three whole deaths??? WOW! I wonder how many people have been murdered or brutally beaten by gangs already this year???
For those of you who were ticketed in this fashion: please review the law, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO FACE YOUR ACCUSER! The accuser is the person that clocked you NOT the one that issued you the ticket (in this situation). Did he radio your vehicle description or tags? Beat these tickets! Lazy cops.
John Steel

I am disgusted by the arrogance of the narcissist nitwits who are upset at the enforcement of speeding laws. Ironically these folks are probably the first to whine about illegal immigration and the failure to enforce those laws. Speeders, especially those traveling well above the limit, put innocent lives in danger. Your failure to plan your schedule such that you need to drive 80 to get to work should not endanger me or my loved ones. Grow up.
Debra N.

I am in total agreement with John Steel’s comments.
J.P.

How many of those stopper didn’t have insurance? 93k is nothing when compared to the cost of an accident including injury, suffering, loss of work, etc. Those thugs who refused to purchase insurance only make the matter worse and punish the hard working folks.
jerry

The problem is that these efforts do not change drivers actions. They only provide funds for the city…It’s a money making scheme. Be that as it may, the police need to get drivers off the road that are causing accidents by reckless habits. They aren’t…just look at the number of people who get DUI’s and are back on the road the next day. Those are the people I want off the road! The people who lose their license should lose their car too (impound and pay to get it back). That’s pretty hard line. But we have to make it a severe penalty.

My point is spend time and money to correct THE most dangerous issue.
Rick

Let me get this straight. They were given $93,000 to go out and collect tickets? Essentially, they were given money to generate revenue. Why the hell did we need to give them $93k to encourage them to run this “speed trap”?

Notice how the officer says that in the 3 deaths, that speed was a “FACTOR”, not the cause of the crash or death. It’s always a factor, and never the cause. The cause is always someone’s stupidity or inattentiveness.

I’ve been in 8 accidents in the last 12 years in Denver. Every single one was the other driver’s fault. I’ve been turned in front of (person didn’t even look) twice, and rear ended countless times. I’ve had OTHER PEOPLE total 3 of my vehicles. I’ve had stupid inattentive drivers more concerned about their families (John Steel from above comment) than driving, almost kill me when I’m on my motorcycle and just going with the flow of traffic. Stupidity and inattentiveness are the problems. Speed is not.

Nobody can argue that the German Autobahn is the perfect example of how education, attentiveness, and cars capable of the speeds, can make for a very safe environment where there is no speed limit.
Scott G.

Rick, being a motorcyclist myself, I completely agree with you! I ride and drive quickly, and have yet to be in a single accident!

Jerry, you have no idea what you are talking about with the DUI comment. Colorado is very tough on the DUI laws, do some research before you make comments. Colorado might as well be a zero tolerance state, even getting a BAC of below 0.05 is a DWAI which will typically include 32 or more hours of community service, alcohol therapy, alcohol education, a victims impact panel, not to mention the process by which you have to get your license back, which will include a breathalyzer being installed in your car for a minimum of 4 months (breathalyzers often break and malfunction quickly increasing your sentence on them)