DaimlerChrysler Awards Traffic Safety Grants To Hault Red Light Running
8 March 1999
DaimlerChrysler Awards Traffic Safety Grants To Bring Red Light Running to a Halt AUBURN HILLS, Mich., March 5 -- Running red lights has become
a serious nationwide problem with the same dangerous outcomes of driving drunk
-- injuries and death. In an effort to raise public awareness of this
dangerous problem, DaimlerChrysler today announced that seven
community safety organizations will be awarded grants, totaling $200,000.
The grants were awarded on behalf of the Stop Red Light Running Campaign,
a public-private partnership between DaimlerChrysler, the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) and the American Trauma Society (ATS). The campaign
aims to increase awareness of the dangers of running red lights, a growing
traffic concern often caused by aggressive drivers.
The seven community grants were awarded to various safety groups,
including law enforcement organizations and highway traffic safety offices in:
Dothan, Alabama; Denver, Colorado; Fresno, California; Bartow, Florida;
Lansing, Michigan; Amherst, New York and Austin, Texas. The grants will be
used for beefed up enforcement and public education campaigns.
"Every driver who runs a red light makes a potentially deadly decision,"
said A.C. (Bud) Liebler, Senior Vice-President of Marketing for
DaimlerChrysler. "These community groups are crucial to raising awareness at
the local level. We are excited to be supporting their efforts as we all work
toward creating safer driving conditions on our nation's roads."
"Red light running has been a serious traffic issue in Florida for a
number of years," stated Elizabeth Sheetz, of the Florida Community Safety
Team, one of the grant winners. "Our goal is to make people realize that
running red lights has the same dangerous outcome as drunk driving -- injuries
and deaths. We are thankful to DaimlerChrysler for helping us attain this
goal."
Each year, more than one million traffic crashes occur at intersections,
resulting in more than 250,000 injuries and thousands of deaths. The leading
cause of these crashes -- which cost Americans an estimated $7 million in lost
wages, insurance and property damage -- is red light running.
DaimlerChrysler is committed to traffic safety education. Along with the
Stop Red Light Running Campaign, DaimlerChrysler sponsors the Neon Drunk
Driving Simulator, which teaches high school students about the dangers of
drinking and driving; and the Do the Buckle program, a national tour that
teaches children the importance of buckling up.
Stop Red Light Running Grant Recipients
Southeast Alabama Emergency Medical Services Council, Inc. ($30,000 grant)
-- Grant to be used to develop and implement a comprehensive community
education program, analyze traffic data and conduct safety checkpoints.
Contact: Chuck Crawford, 334-793-7789
Fresno, California Police Department ($20,000 grant) -- Grant will be used
to purchase additional red light running detectors and increase community
education through local broadcast efforts.
Contact: Susan Nam, 559-488-1010
Colorado Department of Transportation ($30,000 grant) -- Grant to be used
to launch a community awareness program.
Contact: John Conger, 303-757-9440
Central Florida Community Traffic Safety Team ($30,000 grant) -- Grant to
be used to continue existing Stop Red Light Running program in Florida.
Contact: Elizabeth Sheetz, 941-534-7130
Michigan State Police - Office of Highway Safety ($30,000 grant) -- Grant
to be used to supplement enforcement costs, research, and public awareness.
Contact: Kathy Farnum, 517-333-5316
Town of Amherst Engineering Department ($30,000 grant) -- Grant will be
used to initiate education efforts.
Contact: Anthony Moeser, 716-631-7154
Texas Department of Transportation ($30,000 grant) -- Grant will be used
to increase public awareness and aid enforcement.
Contact: Judy Allen, 512-463-8585
