'Slow Down' Banning Police Remind Drivers Of Speeding Dangers

BANNING, CA — Starting this summer, the Banning Police Department is encouraging local drivers to follow the speed limit and “slow the fast down.”

During July and beyond, the Banning Police Department will have additional officers on patrol, looking for drivers speeding or driving too fast for conditions.

Speeding remains a leading factor in deadly crashes and is consistently the top safety concern among surveyed California drivers, according to the 2025 California Traffic Safety Survey. Even small increases in speed reduce drivers' reaction time and significantly increase the force of a crash.

"Slowing down is a simple, effective way to prevent tragedies on our roads," according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That agency says that in 2024, 11,288 people died from speeding-related crashes in the U.S. This accounted for 29% of all traffic fatalities that year. In California alone, 1,139 people were killed in speeding-related crashes in 2024.

Banning Police Lt. Brandon Smith discussed why this matters for the community.

“Speeding is dangerous and puts everyone at risk,” Smith said. “Your daily choice to drive within the speed limit protects everyone in our community. Risky driving behaviors like speeding continue to cause preventable tragedies on California roads.”

Drivers can take simple steps to prevent speeding:

• Plan ahead and allow extra travel time.
• Follow posted speed limits, especially in school and work zones.
• Drive at a speed that is safe for the conditions around you.
• Adjust your speed for changing weather, traffic and road conditions.
• Avoid aggressive driving behaviors like tailgating or weaving through traffic.

Crashes have severe and lasting consequences, and slowing down is one of the most important actions you can take to keep everyone using roads safe, according to Smith. "By taking precautions and driving at safe speeds, we can make sure everyone in the community reaches their destination safely."