The National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running

Traffic Safety Advocates Mark National Stop On Red Week By Celebrating Progress in Red Light Running Prevention Efforts

Community-conscious Baltimore Orioles honored

BALTIMORE, MD (September 3, 2003) — To call attention to National Stop on Red Week, August 30 - September 5, 2003, traffic safety advocates joined with Maryland police, fire, rescue and trauma professionals to celebrate the decline in red light running injuries statewide and a decrease in deaths and injuries in Baltimore City. “We are saving lives and preventing injuries with consistent enforcement efforts,” said Baltimore City Police Commissioner Kevin Clark. “Drivers in Baltimore City are getting the message — if you run red lights, you will be caught.”

In 2002, red light runners injured 488 people and killed three in Baltimore City, a decrease from the 523 injuries and five deaths in 2001. “Each day we see the real life results of red light running in emergency departments and trauma centers,” said Dr. Robert Bass of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) “The human toll is unbearable, intolerable and preventable.”

Statewide, there were 2,346 injuries and 24 fatalities as compared to 2,481 injuries and 21 fatalities in 2001, according to data from the Maryland State Highway Administration’s Office of Traffic and Safety, Traffic Safety Analysis Division. “We must do all we can to ensure injuries continue to decline and more is needed to achieve similar reductions in deaths,” said Harry Teter, Executive Director of the American Trauma Society.

The National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running, the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division and MIEMSS teamed up at the Russell and Hamburg intersection today to highlight National Stop on Red Week and honor the Baltimore Orioles for their community awareness efforts with a special award. The groups have worked with the Orioles to produce posters and billboards featuring center fielder Melvin Mora and a “Get Home Safe” message urging drivers to stop on red.

“Aggressive driving and inattention are the main causes of red light running,” said Leslie Blakey, executive director of the National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running. “People must understand there are consequences for this irresponsible behavior and a ‘my time is more valuable than your safety’ mentality is unacceptable.”

Nationally, red light runners cause as many as 219,000 crashes resulting in approximately 1,000 deaths and 181,000 injuries at a cost of more than $14 billion. “A red light runner hit me in 1997 and almost completely paralyzed me,” said Barbara Blaustein of Silver Spring. “Today I live in constant pain and the red light runner only got a citation. Running red lights is a deadly and selfish act.”

Stop on Red Night at Camden Yards with the Baltimore Orioles will be held tonight. During the pre-game ceremony, Maryland Delegate William A. Bronrott (D-16, Bethesda) will be honored for his leadership in red light running prevention and The Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA) will be honored for donating 15 billboards in Baltimore, Phoenix, AZ and the Los Angeles, CA areas. “Get Home Safe” posters will be distributed to fans as they enter the stadium. Billboards with the same message will be posted in Baltimore during Stop on Red Week and throughout September courtesy of Clear Channel Communications.