Question: Is it true that police have to write a certain amount of tickets each month otherwise they get in trouble.
Answer: No, traffic citation quotas are prohibited in Minnesota. State Statute 169.985 says, "A law enforcement agency may not order, mandate, require, or suggest to a peace officer a quota for the issuance of traffic citations, including administrative citations authorized under section 169.999, on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly basis."
Through education and enforcement, the Minnesota State Patrol strives to reduce fatalities and injuries on our roads. Illegal or unsafe speed is one of the leading contributing factors in Minnesota's fatal crashes-accounting for at least 80 deaths annually. Two-thirds of those deaths occur on rural, two-lane roads in Minnesota and young adults are the most common offenders and those at greatest risk.
Speeding is not an innocent crime-it puts every motorist at risk on the road:
• Greater potential for loss of vehicle control.
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• Increased stopping distance.
• Slower response time to avoid crashes.
• Increased crash severity-the faster the speed, the more violent the crash.
Lack of seat belt use also plays significant role in contributing to driver and passenger deaths. About half of the motorists killed in Minnesota are not buckled up.
To keep you and others safe: Drive the speed limit, buckle up, pay attention and never drink and drive.
If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Sgt. Neil Dickenson, Minnesota State Patrol, 1131 Mesaba Ave., Duluth, MN, 55811; on Twitter @MSPPIO_NE; or by email at neil.dickenson@state.mn.us .
