Jeffco Sheriff's Office: Ticket Issued to Driver for 88mph in 55 on Hwy 285

Just posted by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office :


One of our deputies issued a ticket this week to a person driving 88 mph in the 55 mph zone on Highway 285. The speed—33 miles over the speed limit--is so high that the penalty is a day in court so that a judge can decide the appropriate punishment.

But what about the cost to everyone’s safety?

Many of you in the Conifer and Evergreen neighborhoods have been seeing more of our deputies in the Shaffer’s Crossing and Windy Pointe areas recently and we want you to know why.

After the recent increase in traffic accidents that have resulted in deaths, injuries and other public safety dangers, we’re focusing our efforts on that corridor with the goal of positively affecting traffic patterns, specifically fewer accidents, reduced speed and increased awareness of mountain-driving conditions.

Since March 26, our deputies have made more than 160 traffic stops and worked 24 accidents along Highway 285 from Parmalee Gulch to the Park County line. More specifically:

*139 traffic tickets/summonses issued
*17.5 hours spent on traffic stops, averaging 6.5 minutes per stop
*132 hours of high visibility patrol
*10 accidents with injury
*13 accidents with property damage

But our deputies can only do so much. What can YOU do to help us make sure everyone gets to their destination safely? It starts with simply obeying the speed limit and paying attention while driving.

The alternative is not worth the ticket, and it’s definitely not worth your life.

Set the speed limit in accordance with tried and true principles and you will automatically achieve 85% compliance with that speed limit instead of less than 50% compliance with it. Might not raise as much revenue for Jefferson County, but studies have shown that when speed limits are set according to objective data instead of subjective thoughts that the road becomes safer overall for everyone on it.

I mean, seriously, the speed limit on portions of 285 that are two lane with nothing other than a double yellow line separating traffic is 65 mph and sections of it that are 4 lane with depressed medians and barriers is 55 mph?

Hey Jeffco, do you your due diligence, conduct a science based speed study on the road and set the speed limit accordingly before you start handing out citations. At least then you will have just cause to say that those receiving the citation are operating their vehicles in other than a reasonable and prudent manner.