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Ohio's Pandemic Shutdown Led To Big Rise In Speeding Tickets Over 100 MPH

[Gabe Rosenberg / WOSU]

The number of traffic citations issued to speeders traveling at more than 100 miles per hour increased significantly during the pandemic, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Travelers caught going faster than 100 mph were essentially commiting crimes of opportunity, Sgt. Nathan Dennis with the Ohio State Highway Patrol said.

“As a result of traffic decreasing, we were seeing a significant increase in the amount of speeders, I guess, taking advantage of the fact that less traffic was on the roadway," Dennis said.

According to data supplied by the Highway Patrol, 1,159 citations to drivers going faster than a 100 mph between March 24 and July 10. That’s compared to 658 citations issued during the same period in 2019.

The Highway Patrol expects those numbers to come down drastically now that more drivers are back on the road.

Copyright 2020 WOSU 89.7 NPR News. To see more, visit WOSU 89.7 NPR News.