November 18 - 24, 2007 is the 8th Annual Daviess County "Stop Red Light Running Awareness Week"

DAVIESS COUNTY

STOP RED LIGHT RUNNING AWARENESS WEEK

NOVEMBER 18-24, 2007

An average of 47 seconds – the time saved by running a red light is not worth the potential cost in human lives. 

WHAT:                  The Green River Area Development District is again teaming up with the Owensboro Police Department, Daviess County Sheriff Department, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the National Stop Red Light Running Program to promote awareness of the dangers of red light running and to crack down on drivers who disregard traffic signals the week of November 18-24, 2007, the beginning of the holiday season.

WHY:

½        Red light running is 100% preventable.  Most people who run red lights do so because they are in a hurry. 

½        The time saved by avoiding a red light – an average of 47 seconds – is not worth the potential cost in human lives.

½        Red light running is a dangerous and costly national problem.  More than one million automobile crashes occur at intersections each year, resulting in more than 500,000 injuries and more than 1,000 deaths.  In addition, red light running costs the public an estimated $7 billion per year in lost wages, medical bills and damages.

½        In Owensboro, red light running is reported as a leading contributing factor to crashes reported at high accident locations. 

½        Research by the American Trauma Society (ATS) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) shows that one of three Americans has been injured, or knows someone injured or killed in a red light running crash.

½        A crash caused by a driver who runs a red light can have the same result as a crash caused by a drunk driver – serious injury or death.

½        Safety is a share responsibility.  The Federal Highway Administration is responsible for building and maintaining safe roads and automakers are responsible for ensuring that vehicles are safe for the occupants. But drivers must share the responsibility by making smart decisions on the road.

WHEN:                  Thanksgiving Week, November 18-24, 2007

CONTACT:          Gina Boaz, Regional Transportation Planner, GRADD, (270) 926-4433,

ginaboaz@gradd.com                        

Visit Kentucky Highway Safety Program and Drive Smart for other information.

Buckle Up for Safety!