CALUMET — Wedged between U.S. 41 and several state trunkline roads, the Keweenaw has many beautiful destinations people will be visiting during the summer. Michigan State Police (MSP) announced Tuesday it will be increasing speeding enforcement during the month as more and more people travel across the state, especially in the U.P.

MSP U.P. Public Information Officer Lieutenant Ben Eckola said the goal of this increase in enforcement is to lower the number of accidents on the road. 

“One of the main goals of the Michigan State Police is we’re really focused on trying to reduce and ultimately prevent serious traffic crashes from taking place,” he said. “One way to go about it is to try and raise awareness, to get people thinking about some of these things and to apply good driving habits, and also partner with local law enforcement.”

According to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, in 2024, Michigan recorded 22,260 speed-involved crashes, an increase of 4.2% over the 21,357 crashes in 2023. The number of speed-related fatalities fell from 210 in 2023 to 177 in 2024, a decrease of 15.7%.

Eckola said the Keweenaw and the U.P., as a whole, will increase its number patrolling officers on the road this month. 

“We will have additional patrols throughout the month of July,” he said. “So, travelers, either coming to the area or residents, should expect additional law enforcement at times.”

According to the announcement, MSP will be partnering with local county sheriff departments and municipalities. Eckola said the reason for summer being a dangerous time to drive in the U.P. is because it is peak tourism and travel seasons. 

“This kind of driving behavior can take place at any time of year, but especially in the summer months we see an increase in the number of people throughout the Upper Peninsula,” he said. “With that increase in the number of people in the Upper Peninsula there’s an increase in the number of drivers on the road.”

Eckola has tips for drivers on the road during the summer. He said to drive cautiously and to keep in control of your vehicle at all times. 

“We want to see everyone enjoy their summer and get to their travel destination safely,” he said. “You can’t really control the actions of other drivers on the roads, but you can control your own actions. It’s the simple things of always wearing your seatbelt, putting your phone down and avoiding other distractions while you’re driving, driving the speed limit and not driving when you’re impaired.”