In the month following California’s stay-at-home order, which went into effect on March 19, the California Highway Patrol has already issued a surprising 2,493 tickets throughout the state for drivers doing more than 100 mph (160 km/h).
In the same period last year, that figure stood at 1,335, which is a clear indicator that people are now taking advantage of the light traffic conditions (by about 35 percent) and flooring the accelerator.
“It is alarming to see the number of citations officers are writing for excessive speeds on California roadways,” said CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley. “Higher speeds can lead to much more serious injuries and significantly increase the chance of death should a crash occur.”
Read Also: Drivers In UK Doing “Extreme” Speeds During COVID-19 Lockout
One driver in particular was arrested and charged with speeding, reckless driving and driving without a license after being clocked doing 165 mph (265 km/h) in a Chevrolet Camaro on Interstate 5 in San Juan Capistrano, as reported by the LA Times.
In order to get its message across to drivers, the state of California is programming its 700 electronic highway signs to display safety-related messages, such as “If you must travel, do not speed”.
Less traffic also means more time for contractors to expedite improvement projects, although construction workers now find themselves more at risk because of speeding motorists, added the CHP Commissioner.
Of course, similar issues now exist all over the world. In the UK, London’s Metro PD confirmed that one driver went as high as 142 mph (229 km/h) recently, with another one caught doing 130 mph (209 km/h) on a 70 mph (112 mph) motorway.
California’s empty roadways are NOT an invitation to speed, it’s an indicator that many people are rightfully adhering to the Governor’s stay-at-home order. Help keep our officers socially distant, obey the law and drive at a safe, legal speed. pic.twitter.com/NuhdG1DxQC
— CHP Headquarters (@CHP_HQ) March 30, 2020