Key Vote for Intersection Safety Passes Indiana Senate 31-19

     National Campaign Calls on House of Representatives to Pass S.B. 003

    WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 -- A critical vote today by the State
Senate moved Indiana one step closer to allowing red light camera enforcement
as a means of improving intersection safety.   Sponsored by Sen. Kent Adams
(R-Warsaw), cosponsored by Sen. Tom Wyss (R-Fort Wayne), Sen. Bud Meeks (R-
Leo), Sen. John Broden (D-South Bend), and Sen. Rose Antich (D-Merrillville)
and strongly supported by Attorney General Steve Carter, S.B. 003 would allow
certain local government entities to adopt ordinances establishing red light
camera enforcement programs. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives
for consideration.
    "Today's Senate vote shows tremendous support for this technology, and we
are hopeful for similar success this year in the House of Representatives,"
said Ann Sweet, Spokesperson for the National Campaign to Stop Red Light
Running. "Indiana should jump at this opportunity to save lives. Time lost
equals lives lost." Sweet's 21-year-old daughter Shawnee was killed in 1997 by
a red light runner as she crossed U.S. Highway 30 in Warsaw, Indiana.
    Indiana ranks 10th among states in red light running fatalities with
approximately 26 people killed each year. According to a recent Purdue
University study, 96% of drivers think red light running is dangerous and two-
thirds said it is a problem in Indiana.
    Nationally there were as many 200,000 crashes in 2001 causing more than
150,000 injuries and approximately 1,100 deaths. Red light running deaths are
increasing three times faster than any other roadway fatality cause and the
cost of red light running crashes exceeds $12 billion annually.
    A Purdue University study also found 30 red light running violations in 45
minutes at a high traffic volume intersection. "This technology is a low-cost,
common sense way to prevent some of Indiana's crashes that result from red-
light violations," said Leslie Blakey, Executive Director of the Campaign. Red
light camera enforcement has resulted in violation reductions ranging from 20-
87% across the nation.  "We urge the House to take similar action. Indiana
simply cannot afford the human and financial tolls that red light running
places on this state."
    The National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running is an independent advocacy
initiative guided by a national advisory board and focuses on both the
national and grass roots levels. 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.