Red Means Stop Coalition/National Stop On Red Week 2003

Team Up To Release 2002 Arizona Crash Data, Mark National Stop On Red Week
Top 15 Most Dangerous Intersections To Be Identified

Arizona Diamondbacks To Be Honored for Excellence in Community Awareness

Event:
Press conference to mark the upcoming National Stop on Red Week and to release 2002 red light running Arizona traffic crash data from Arizona’s Department of Transportation. The event will focus on progress made in reducing red light running in Phoenix and surrounding areas. The city’s top 15 most dangerous intersections will be highlighted and the Arizona Diamondbacks will be honored for their community awareness efforts.

Participants:

• Robert Bohm, President of the Red Means Stop Coalition
• Ann Sweet, National Spokesperson, The National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running
• U.S. Senator John McCain (Invited)
• Joe Garagiola, Jr., General Manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks
• Mayor Skip Rimsza (Invited)
• Chief Harold Hurtt, Phoenix Police Department
• Assistant Fire Chief Bob Khan, Phoenix Fire Department
• Jerry Loftus, Director of the Trauma Center, John C. Lincoln Health Network
• Law enforcement officers from Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Paradise Valley, and
  Scottsdale police departments

When:
9:00 AM, Wednesday, August 27, 2003

Where:
35th Avenue and McDowell Road

Details:
Phoenix leads the nation in red light running fatalities and crashes while Arizona is the worst state in the nation for red light running crashes. New 2002 data to be released at the event will reveal progress made and problems that continue in the effort to reduce Arizona’s red light running problem. August 30 marks the beginning of National Stop on Red Week. As we approach the heavily-traveled Labor Day holiday and as our children head back to school, it is an especially important time to remember to stop on red. This year, the National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running and the Red Means Stop Coalition are teaming up with the Arizona Diamondbacks to reach Phoenix citizens with an important Get Home Safe message during Stop on Red Night at Bank One Ballpark on August 27. The Get Home Safe poster and billboard featuring Luis Gonzales will be unveiled at the news event. Nationally, red light running causes more than 219,000 crashes and 181,000 injuries and approximately 1,000 deaths each year.