New Effort Designed to Deter Motorists from Running Red Lights
FREEHOLD — Division of Highway Traffic Safety Director Pam Fischer, joined by officers from the Freehold Township, Manalapan and Marlboro Police Departments, today unveiled a new law enforcement and public awareness initiative designed to deter motorists from running red lights.
\”Red-light running, like speeding, tailgating and not stopping or slowing at stop-controlled intersections, is an aggressive driving behavior that is truly a national safety problem,\” Fischer said. \”Every year, more than 200,000 crashes, resulting in nearly 1,000 fatalities and 180,000 injuries, occur across the country as a result of drivers who ran through a red light. The injury rate for red-light crashes is nearly 47 percent higher then for other crash types.\”
Under the new program, the police departments will set up weekly surveillance sites at undisclosed intersections on major roadways in their municipalities. Officers will be located in every direction at each intersection and, for a set period of time, issue summonses to motorists who ignore red lights.
New Jersey law requires motorists to stop for a yellow light, unless it is too dangerous to stop safely. A motorist convicted of running a red light is assessed two points on his/her drivers\’ license and an $85 fine.
\”This is an excellent opportunity for law enforcement to educate motorists regarding the consequences of not stopping for red lights,\” Freehold Township Police Chief Ernest Schriefer stated. \”Our agency reported over 2,400 motor vehicle crashes last year with over 12 percent occurring at intersections. This multi-jurisdictional program will promote stopping safely for red lights. Motorists that fail to stop for a red light will be stopped by our police officers and issued violations.\”
According to Fischer, while a red-light runner can be any age, typically drivers involved in such crashes are under 30 years of age, have a record of moving violations, are driving alone, without a valid license, and are rushing to work or school in the morning weekday hours. Often red-light crashes involve alcohol, as well, she noted.
A cooperative partnership between the law enforcement agencies, the Freehold Raceway Mall and CBS Outdoor Mall Division, the new effort also includes signage located at five locations throughout the mall alerting shoppers to the crackdown. Four signs are located at major exit points inside the mall, while one sign has been placed directly outside the mall=s main entrance. The signs, which state \”Stop for the Red, or Stop for Us\” and feature uniformed police officers from all three municipalities, were also designed to raise awareness about the importance of safe driving as motorists leave the mall enroute to busy area roadways.
In addition, a brochure explaining the initiative, including the potential physical and monetary consequences that can result from running a red light, was mailed to the parents of all Freehold Regional School District high school students, by the Freehold Township Police Department.
Fischer noted that it is critical to include teen drivers in efforts such as this, to ensure that they not only learn the importance of traffic safety laws, but the dangerous and sometimes deadly consequences associated with violating them.
\”Automobile crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers,\” Fischer said. \”Parents who received this brochure are encouraged to use it to talk with their teens about how they can stay safe behind the wheel.\”
Each of the three participating police departments received a $17,000 grant from the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety to implement the initiative, which will run through 2008.
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