Dangers of Red Light Running Focuses On Stop Red Light Running Week

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- Because a growing number of Americans -- approximately 250 per day -- are killed or injured by red light runners, more and more communities are moving aggressively against this behavior.

To support their efforts, the National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running (SRLR), an independent advocacy initiative targeting both the national and grassroots levels, joins Florida in celebrating the state's Stop Red Light Running Week (January 13- 19, 2002).

``There is a great deal of well-justified concern for this problem around the nation,'' said Judith Lee Stone, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. ``Studies have shown that red light running is one of the most frequent and unpunished traffic offenses, occurring as frequently as once every five minutes at some intersections.''

Red light running is a national traffic safety problem with deadly consequences. According to the Florida Community Traffic Safety Teams Coalition, in 2000, red light runners caused 9,323 crashes, 114 fatalities, 13,926 personal injuries and $346 million in economic loss in Florida. Nationwide, between 1992 and 1998, fatal motor vehicle crashes at traffic signals increased 18 percent, outpacing the six percent rise in all other fatal crashes. Public costs exceed $7 billion per year.

The National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running was created in response to a groundswell of concern from many areas of the country struggling to reverse this disturbing trend. The goal of the Campaign is to reduce the incidence of red light running in the United States and the fatalities and injuries it causes. The Campaign is guided by a national advisory board that includes Barbara Harsha, executive director, National Association of Governors' Highway Safety Representative; Millie I. Webb, national president, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD); Brian O'Neil, president, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety; Harry Teter, executive director, American Trauma Society, and Ms. Stone.

``The problem of red light running needs to be addressed through public awareness and public policy change,'' said Leslie Blakey, Campaign Coordinator. ``Increased enforcement and technology such as red light cameras can make a big difference in deterring this deadly behavior. We applaud the efforts of police and Florida transportation officials to step up enforcement and call attention to red light running.''

Red light cameras are a low-cost common sense way to prevent the numerous yearly deaths and injuries resulting from red light violations. Florida Representative Slosberg has pre-filed House Bill 21 in the 2002 legislative session to create pilot projects using automated traffic enforcement in Palm Beach and Pinellas counties.

For further information, contact Barbara Plevelich, 202-828-9100.