Have you ever rushed through a red light? Have you ever just missed getting hit by someone running a red light? It’s frightening how many people don’t think twice about running red lights. It’s deadly too.
Image courtesy of the National Coalition for Safer Roads
The mission of the NCSR (National Coalition for Safer Roads) is to help save lives by showing how “Red Light Safety Cameras” improve driver behavior. The NCSR brings policymakers, community leaders and citizens together to support the use of these life saving cameras. I’m aware of the cameras and have even recognized a few but haven’t thought about them as a safety tool. And that’s exactly what they are, a safety tool.
A study by the NCSR showed that in 2009 alone 113,000 people were injured by vehicles running red lights. Six hundred seventy-six people were killed including innocent pedestrians, bicyclists and occupants of vehicles. The NCSR study also showed that “red-light safety cameras helped save more than 150 lives in 14 of the biggest U.S. cities from 2004 to 2008. Had the cameras been operating in all 99 U.S. cities with populations more than 200,000, more than 800 lives could have been saved.” I think those are pretty significant numbers.
Some of the people who are against the red light cameras are those who believe its an invasion of privacy. Bottom line … a crime is still a crime even if its not witnessed by law enforcement. I like what the Washington Post says: The rationale for red-light cameras is firmly grounded in common sense. Police can’t be everywhere, and officers should not be diverted from high-crime areas to police every high-risk intersection.
As seen in the short film, a death in a family changes everything. I know. My 17 year old daughter died in an auto accident. While her accident didn’t have anything to do with a red light, her death changed my life and the lives of my family forever. It’s been 13 years and I’m still reeling from the repercussions of not hearing her voice, brushing her hair and feeling her hugs. I never want anyone to feel the loss that I have. Help me and support the NCSR in their quest to save lives with red light safety cameras.
Please follow the NCSR on Twitter and Facebook to learn more and get the latest news for this important initiative.
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