Deputies are tightening enforcement on drivers who run red lights as part of National Stop On Red Week.
Intersection collisions account for more than 40 percent of all crashes. That’s why more than 15 years ago the Federal Highway Administration began National Stop On Red Week to educate drivers about the dangers of running red lights, reduce the number and severity of accidents on roads and help increase traffic safety.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is conducting education and enforcement efforts throughout Collier County during the weeklong campaign, which started Sunday, in an effort to make our local roads safer.
Red-light running is dangerous. In 2009 there were 77 red-light crashes in Collier County. Nationwide, more than 880 people are killed and more than 165,000 people are injured each year due to red-light running, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Deputies aren’t focusing on intersections where red-light cameras are monitoring the traffic signals.
Collier County is one of more than 350 communities that use red-light cameras to help keep motorists safe. CCSO wants drivers to be aware that the cameras are in place. For a list of intersections where the cameras are in place in Collier go to the CCSO website at www.colliersheriff.org.
CCSO also reminds drivers that when they see chronic red-light running, speeding or other traffic violations at a particular intersection they can call the CCSO Traffic Hotline at 530-ZOOM (9666).
CCSO offers these tips for red-light safety:
* Don’t speed
* Be alert to your surroundings
* Be patient
* Avoid distractions like talking on a cell phone or eating while driving
* Don’t try to beat the red light
