Florida's "Stop on Red" Week
If the light is red, you better stop.
Beginning Monday, August 2, the Florida Highway Patrol and multiple law enforcement agencies across the state are teaming up to enforce National Stop on Red Week. The focus is to remind drivers to stop at the red traffic signals, not run them.
Red light running is a real problem in Florida. More than 5,000 people suffered injuries last year in crashes that involved a red light runner. Fifty-six people were killed.
There were 1,400 Florida intersection accidents where at least one driver was impatient, not paying attention, driving distracted, or aggressively driving and ran a red light. Not only does that put other motorists in danger, but it endangers pedestrians and bicyclists.
On August 1 in Pinellas County, a red light runner killed a family of four from Orlando.
From August 2 through the 8th, the Florida Highway Patrol will be stationed at traffic signals to make sure that drivers stop at red traffic lights, the FHP announced in a Florida Department of Highway Safety news release. While this is called “National Stop on Red Week” it appears to be a Florida initiative.
A big component of the National Stop on Red Week is the new enforcement tool that Governor Charlie Crist signed into law. House Bill 325 gives local government the right to use cameras at red lights to take a picture of the offender. The driver will then receive a picture in the mail of himself speeding though a red light at an intersection. He will also receive a citation for $158.
The new law took effect one month ago and is named after a Bradenton man killed by a red light runner. The Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act memorializes Mark Wandall who was killed in 2003. His wife championed the bill and got it passed.
The news release also says that the red light citation will not affect your auto insurance rates or add points to your driving record.
