SARASOTA COUNTY (WSNN) – When a traffic light turns from yellow to red, brake, don’t accelerate. That’s the message Suncoast law enforcement officers are sharing today and all year round.
“You’re important, and you’re not going to do yourself any good, if you don’t get to where you’re going safely,” Sarasota Police Traffic Unit Officer Jason Frank said.
The Sarasota Police Department, the Florida Department of Transportation, along with the National Coalition for Safer Roads gathered Friday morning at US 41 and Hillview Street to raise awareness during National Stop on Red week. They waved “Always Stop On Red” signs.
It’s all part of an effort to educate drivers about the dangers of running a red light or a stop sign. Red-light runners affect the lives of innocent victims daily. Melissa Wandall is one of them.
“Our family was impacted by a red-light runner in 2003 when my husband was killed by a red-light runner, and my brother was seriously injured,” Wandall said.
She’s a part of the National Coalition for Safer Roads and Alert Today Florida.
Last year, there were more than 14,000 red-light running crashes in Florida which left 100 dead and 700 people injured, according to FDOT.
“In the blink of an eye, somebody’s life changed because somebody made the decision not to stop on red,” Wandall said.
Injuries and losses are preventable if you drive safely.
“Really good people are making bad decisions,” Wandall said.
“Plan your days accordingly,” Frank said. “Set the alarm clock a few minutes early, get out of the house, we’re not in a rush. Because you don’t do yourself or anybody else any good if you don’t make it to where you’re going safely.”
“Together, we can drive down heartache and save lives,” Wandall said.
The national Stop on Red campaign week started on the 1st & runs till August 7th.
