The National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running

Traffic Safety Advocates Mark National Stop On Red Week By Celebrating Declines In Red Light Running Deaths and Injuries

Community-conscious Arizona Diamondbacks Honored for Excellence in Community Awareness

PHOENIX, AZ (August 27, 2003) — To kick-off National Stop on Red Week, August 30 - September 5, 2003, traffic safety advocates joined with Phoenix officials to announce new crash data revealing a decline in red light running deaths and injuries. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, last year there were 42 red light running deaths and 6,171 injuries as compared to 69 deaths and 6,214 injuries in 2001.

“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, and the community has worked hard to shed its reputation as the red light running leader,” said Robert Bohm, president of Red Means Stop. “Our hard work is starting to pay off and we are thrilled to see that deaths and injuries are down, but we must continue our efforts because red light crashes actually increased slightly last year.”

However, red light running crashes at camera-equipped intersections in Phoenix have declined 26% since red light cameras were installed on October 1, 2001. “The photo enforcement program sends a clear message to motorists that running a red light now carries serious consequences,” said Phoenix Police Chief Harold Hurtt. “This consistent enforcement is saving lives.” Red light camera programs have also been very effective in reducing red light running crashes in other area cities. Mesa, Tempe, Paradise Valley, Chandler and Scottsdale also use red light cameras as a way to stop red light running.

The National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running has teamed up with the Red Means Stop Coalition to highlight National Stop on Red Week and to honor the Arizona Diamondbacks for their outstanding community awareness efforts with a special award. The groups have produced posters and billboards featuring Diamondbacks left fielder Luis Gonzalez and a “Get Home Safe” message that urges drivers to stop on red.

“In baseball and in life, the goal is to get home safely,” said Joe Garagiola, Jr., general manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. “The Diamondbacks strongly support red light running prevention efforts, and we are proud to participate in this public education campaign that will hopefully convince more drivers to stop for red lights.”

Nationally, red light runners cause as many as 219,000 crashes each year resulting in approximately 1,000 deaths and 181,000 injuries. “My daughter Shawnee was killed just weeks before her wedding when a truck driver ran a red light and plowed into her car,” said Ann Sweet, national survivor spokesperson for the National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running. “These crashes are preventable and today’s good news clearly shows that red light cameras coupled with effective public information campaigns really do make a difference.”

Stop on Red Night at Bank One Ballpark with the Arizona Diamondbacks will be held tonight. The “Get Home Safe” posters will be distributed to fans as they enter the ballpark. Billboards with the same message will be posted in the Phoenix area during Stop on Red Week and throughout September courtesy of Viacom Outdoor.