Traffic Citations Have Risen In The Past Few Years According To Traffic Safety Team
FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Since the start of the Fargo Traffic Safety Team in September of 2024, the number of drivers being pulled over and given citations has quadrupled.
“We get a lot of traffic complaints and we take looks at them, we take a look at them and either verify or see if there’s any validity to that. And a lot of times there is and we add that to our list of spots that we can do,” said Officer Trae Schmidt, Fargo Police Officer and Traffic Safety Team.
Police say driving habits that have been observed during stops included careless driving, racing and drag racing, speeding, distracted driving, exhibition driving, and reckless driving.
“Fortunately we see it all the time, especially with cell phone usage and what not, seatbelts. It’s a dime or dozen out there and we do everything we can to educate, enforce and ensure everyone’s safe,” said Schmidt.
Police have pinpointed several hot spots of where dangerous driving occurs. Including 10th St. N between 12th Ave N and 19th Ave N,12th Ave N between I-29 and 18th St N, and others.
“Through working we have found hot spots but that depends on the time of day, weather conditions, and when it’s very dynamic. It’s very dynamic out there a lot of variables are at play. Often we just find ourselves roaming, and wherever the traffic is we are,” said Schmidt.
Schmidt hopes that since they are now at a fully staffed team with the addition of two extra officers this month they will be able to help maintain safety.
“That all varies on the wide all of the circumstances with law enforcement work and very dynamic situation that we’re put in. In the grand scheme of things we would hope that our numbers wouldn’t go up,” said Schmidt.
For more information on the traffic safety team or to report any visit the City of Fargo’s website.
