PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
Red light running is a dangerous form of aggressive driving.
According to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, in
1998, this behavior caused 89,000 motor vehicle crashes nationwide,
resulting in 80,000 injuries and 986 deaths. In fact, red light running
is the leading cause of traffic crashes in urban areas. The Stop Red
Light Running (SRLR) Program was developed by the Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA) in 1995 to increase community awareness of the dangers of red
light running, and increase enforcement efforts. The program is currently
being implemented nationwide, in more than 200 communities.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
In response to increasing demands for SRLR Program information
by traffic safety advocates throughout New England, the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) teamed with the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) to present a one-day workshop in September, 2000.
Objectives of the workshop were to:
-
Provide participants with an overview of the Stop Red Light Running
Program
-
Increase understanding of the magnitude of the red light running
problem
-
Establish educational strategies to address this serious issue
-
Suggest steps for establishing a Stop Red Light Running Program
in participants' communities
-
Prepare participants for potential legislative challenges in implementing
an SRLR program
-
Conduct presentations of several available automated enforcement
options
STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
The New England Stop Red Light Running Workshop was presented
on September 21, 2000, in Portland, Maine. Participants included law
enforcement officials, highway safety professionals, engineering specialists
and local educators. Workshop presentations included the following:
-
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety provided an extensive
presentation on the crash data trends resulting from red light running.
-
The President of the American Trauma Society, MD Division provided
her strategies for implementing a comprehensive media/educational
campaign
-
A lieutenant with the Howard County Police Department highlighted
the experience of Howard County in implementing a successful Stop
Red Light Running Campaign and automated enforcement program
-
The Director of State Affairs for the Advocates for Highway and
Auto Safety provided information relative to the legislative issues
that might be encountered when implementing a red light running
program
-
Participants received literature from several automated camera
enforcement companies, and a variety of other potential program
funding sources
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