Governor Proclaims Red Light Running Awareness Month in Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona, March 4, 2008, Governor Janet Napolitano has proclaimed March as Red Light Running Awareness Month in Arizona for the tenth consecutive year. The Red Means Stop Coalition and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Council have joined forces to remind drivers of the serious consequences of running a red light.

Since 1998, the non profit organization, Red Means Stop Coalition has been advocating for intersection safety, for motorists and pedestrians. Arizona continues to have some of the worst red light running offenders in the nation, with more than 8,000 crashes, 7,500 injuries and 80 deaths each year caused by red light runners.

According to a poll by the National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running, 95 percent of Americans are afraid of being hit by a red light runner. However, a second nationwide survey by Old Dominion University revealed that 56 percent of all Americans admit to running red lights.

“ I am very proud of the work we have done during the past ten years, “ said Frank Hinds, co-founder and Executive Director of the Red Means Stop Coalition. “Unfortunately, a lot more needs to be done if we are ever going to reduce the number of intersection crashes due to red light running. Increased enforcement by patrol officers and the use of cameras, along with effective laws, hopefully will induce drivers to obey the law.”

In 1998, Hinds was instrumental in crafting the first of several tough red light running laws increasing penalties for drivers who cause serious injuries and death. The legislation, “Jennifer’s Law”, written for Hinds daughter Jennifer who was killed by a red light runner in March, 1997, was signed in to law by Governor Jane Dee Hull on May 29, 1998, added section 28-672 to the Arizona Revised Statues. In September 2006, the section was amended, increasing red light running penalties from civil to criminal when the violator causes serious injury or death.

This March, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and the Red Means Stop Coalition encourage all drivers to obey the law and remember, Red Means Stop!

Man, infant killed in crash with Hummer
Associated Press-Jan. 28, 2008

TUCSON- A Hummer ran a stop sign and hit a car carrying a 31-year-old man and a baby boy along an Interstate 19 frontage road
in Tucson, killing them both. Javier Montoya, a 31-year-old from Tubac, was driving in his car at about 10:30 a.m. Sunday when his vehicle was hit by a Hummer that failed to stop at a stop sign, said Sgt. William Duff, an Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesman.

Montoya was pronounced dead at the scene. The infant in his car, Maverick Montoya, was taken University Medical Center,
where he was pronounced dead. Officials didn't know the exact age of the baby, but said he was 7 to 8 months old. He was in a car seat
in the back of Montoya's car. Officials didn't know whether Montoya was wearing a seat belt.

Eduardo Lopez, a 30-year-old from Amado, was driving the Hummer. Neither he nor his four passengers were injured, Duff said.

No citations were issued.

This was the third fatal accident along I-19 in the last two weeks. On Jan. 17, a Green Valley man and his young daughter were killed
in a head-on collision in Sahaurita. A day later, a Sahuarita High School basketball player died after the car he was riding
in hit a pickup truck on I-19.

Peoria activates red-light cameras
Cecilia Chan - The Arizona Republic
Jan. 9, 2008

PEORIA - The Police Department kicked off two programs last week to help deter red-light running.

The city activated red-light cameras at two intersections, 83rd Avenue and Union Hills Drive, and 91st Avenue and Bell Road.
Cameras also will be activated at 83rd Avenue and Thunderbird Road and 91st and Olive avenues,
after construction on both roadways is completed, said Mike Tellef, police spokesman.

Drivers will have a trial period of approximately 30 days once the lights are activated, in which warnings
will be mailed to offenders. After the 30-day period, $214 citations will be issued, Tellef said.

In the second program, funded by a $20,000 grant from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety,
motorcycle officers will target major intersections that don't have red-light cameras, Tellef said. That program ends Sept. 30.

University Medical Center in Tucson has placed these billboards at several major intersections in that city