National Coalition for Safer Roads Shows How Deadly Red-Light Running Is During #StopOnRed2015
Today, the National Coalition for Safer Roads (NCSR) launched an interactive map that showcases the 7,799 red-light running fatalities that occurred in the United States between 2004 and 2013.
The fatalities are mapped to the city and state that each incident occurred, all the way down to the actual intersection where someone’s life was taken by a collision involving red-light running. Through its search function, the map allows viewers the opportunity to find out how many red-light running fatalities occurred in a particular city.
“The ultimate goal is to honor the lives lost and illustrate the danger of red-light running,” said NCSR President Melissa Wandall, who lost her husband to a red-light running in 2003. “These dots represent a life cut too short, family and friends left too soon, and the harsh reality that red-light running can affect anyone on the roadways if more action isn’t taken to prevent reckless driving.”
The map, which features data from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), was designed as a key component of NCSR’s efforts during National Stop on Red Week. Stop on Red Week, August 2-8, 2015, aims to educate drivers about the dangers of red-light running and reduce the number and severity of crashes.
NCSR will encourage people who have been personally affected and lost loved ones in these types of traffic collisions to share their stories on NCSR’s Facebook page. In addition, NCSR hopes to mobilize others across the nation to share the map on social media, change their profile pictures to the Stop on Red icon and pledge to Stop on Red by signing the petition. They are also encouraging people to show their support via social media using the hashtag #StoponRed2015.
For more information about NCSR’s Stop on Red Week daily activities and ways you can get involved, visit www.StopOnRedWeek.com, or check out the multimedia news release featured here.