Stop Red Light Running Week  Aug. 4-11, 2007 Radio PSA
 
Click here to listen to the Red Light Running PSA with Sheriff Rutherford.  (1:10 minutes)


Click here to view First Coast News's segment  "Don't Run that Red Light".

Click here to view News4Jax.com's coverage "Sheriff's Office Campaigns to Stop Red Light Runners."

Click here to listen to the Red Light Running PSA with Sheriff Rutherford.  (1:10 minutes)

On August 2, 2007 the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO), the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) , Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and the Institute of Police Technology and Management (ITPM) held a press conference to kick off National STOP RED LIGHT RUNNING week Aug. 4 -11. The conference was held  in front of the LongHorns Steakhouse on the couner of Atlantic Blvd and Kernan Blvd. The intersection was specifically choosen to draw attention to red light running because it is number one  on the top ten high frequency crash sites in Jacksonville.


Sheriff John H. Rutherford, Major Grady Carrick, Florida Highway Patrol, and Andrea Atran, M.A., C.P.M, Community Traffic Safety Program Manager, Florida Department of Transportation, District Two drew attention to the dangers of running red lights and encouraged motorists to stop on red. Traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities are also caused by the "speeding up on yellow" behavior, especially at busy intersections and in turn lanes.

Running red lights causes a third of all intersection crashes. In 2005, the latest year for which statistics are available, there were 96 fatalities and 6300 injuries in Florida as a result of crashes involving red light running. Florida contributed to 11% of the fatalities nationally due to red light running in 2005, more than any other state. Local law enforcement agencies will join FDOT August 4th -11th to recognize National Stop on Red Week to help raise awareness of the problem and to educate motorists about the dangers of running red lights. Drivers throughout Jacksonville are encouraged to become more mindful of their own behavior at intersections. 

JSO offers these reminders to improve safety at intersections and avoid crashes caused by red light running:

• Slow down and prepare to stop when a light turns yellow. Yellow lights do not mean "speed up."
• Yield to pedestrians. They have the right of way regardless of whether the intersection is marked or unmarked.
• Proceed through intersections with caution even after the light turns green. Remember to protect yourself by driving defensively.
• Come to a complete stop before turning right on red. It's the law.
• Yield to vehicles making a u-turn when turning right on red.

Stop running red lights and make a difference - help save lives and avoid crashes.

A snapshot of Jacksonville Traffic Statistics:
• 3 of the 147 traffic Fatalities or 2.0% of the 147 Traffic Homicides were related to Disregarding a Traffic Signal in 2006
• 5 of the 147 traffic Fatalities or 3.4% of the 147 Traffic Homicides were related to Disregarding a Stop Sign in 2006
• 38 of the 147 traffic fatalities or 26% of the Traffic Homicides were related to Failure to Yield Right of Way

For more information on traffic safety tips, click here.

The mission of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is to protect the lives and property of the citizens of this community, to preserve the peace and to prevent crime and disorder while constantly guarding personal liberties as prescribed by law.

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