COLORADO SPRINGS — Dangerously high speeds are happening more commonly on Colorado Springs roads. "Some of these are so excessive, we're talking in the 100 plus,” said Lieutenant Jim Sokolik with Colorado Springs Police Department.
The issues started when more drivers started staying home because of COVID-19 restrictions. It is based on observation, but traffic officers started seeing faster speeds in the open lanes.
When there is heavier traffic it creates a kind of speed barrier. "That kind of controls your natural flow of traffic," said Sokolik.
With fewer cars and open lanes, some drivers do not realize they are over the limit. When you hit 100, police say it is not by mistake. "You have to know those are intentional acts."
The issue is beyond the 100 plus speeds. On residential roads with lower posted speeds, going 30 or 40 over the limit is just as dangerous. "It's no longer just a speeding ticket. It's a reckless endangerment ticket,” said Sokolik, “It's a criminal charge not a traffic charge." Police promise no tolerance for dangerously high speeds they are seeing on our roads.
