Slow down and stay focused on the road while driving is everyday good advice no matter where the rubber hits the road.

But a light foot on the pedal would be especially prudent in four specific areas during the next week.

The Durango Police Department’s traffic unit and patrol officers will be particularly vigilant with speed enforcement Dec. 11 to 17 along East 32nd Street, Junction Street, Goelgein Gulch Road and Three Springs Boulevard.

Speeding accounted for 29% off all traffic fatalities in 2020, according to the last statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That percentage represents 11,258 deaths attributed to speeding.

The NHTSA noted that Americans drove less in 2020 because of the pandemic, but that an estimated 38,680 people in total died in motor vehicle traffic crashes, “the largest projected number of fatalities since 2007.” There were 36,096 driving-related fatalities reported in 2019.

An analysis of the crashes in 2020 revealed that the main behaviors that contributed to the increase were impaired driving, speeding and failure to wear a seat belt.

Durango police want to remind people that speeding means more fuel use, a greater potential for losing control of a vehicle, less protection from seat belts and air bags, and more severe crashes.

gjaros@durangoherald.com