Every single day in America, someone is killed or seriously injured at an intersection — where lives cross paths and, too often, change forever in an instant. These moments of carelessness come at a heartbreaking cost.
I know this all too well.
Hi, I’m Melissa Wandall — President of the National Coalition for Safer Roads, founder, advocate, motivational speaker, and, most importantly, a mom. My life was forever changed by a red-light runner, and that tragedy became the driving force behind my mission to save lives and create safer roads for all.
As we approach Stop on Red Week 2025, held August 3–9, I’m asking you to pause, reflect, and take action.
This isn’t just a safety campaign — it’s a national call to conscience.
Why Stop on Red Week Matters
Stop on Red Week 2025 is about more than just traffic signals. It’s about lives. Families. Futures. It’s about reminding drivers across the country that every red light is a line drawn to protect us. When we ignore it, we gamble with human life.
Each year, we dedicate this week to educating and collaborating with communities, supporting law enforcement, and empowering advocates to amplify one simple message: Always stop on red. Safe stops create safer communities.
The Reality We Must Face
Red-light running is one of the most dangerous and preventable traffic violations. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:
- More than 1,000 people are killed annually in crashes involving red-light runners.
- Over 100,000 are injured.
- In nearly half of those fatal crashes, it’s not the violator who dies — it’s a pedestrian, cyclist, or another driver.
These are not just statistics — they’re names. Their stories. They are fathers, mothers, daughters, sons, and friends. They are loved, and they matter.
What You Can Do During Stop on Red Week 2025
Each day of Stop on Red Week will focus on a different aspect of intersection safety — from pedestrian awareness and technology solutions to enforcement and education. We’ll be sharing tools, stories, and ways for you to get involved. Here’s how you can make an impact:
- Take the Pledge: Commit to never running a red light — not when you’re late, not when you’re distracted, not ever.
- Share the Message: Use your voice on social media. Tag @SaferRoadsUSA and use #StopOnRed2025.
- Host or Join a Community Event: Advocate for safer intersections in your city. Whether it’s a school event, a city hall meeting, or a social media challenge — every action counts.
- Support Red-Light Safety Technology: Encourage your local officials to adopt technology that enforces intersection laws and saves lives.
How Leaders, Schools, and Employers Can Support the Movement
Stop on Red Week 2025 isn’t just for individual drivers — it’s a message that belongs in classrooms, boardrooms, and city councils.
- Employers can host safety briefings or share our pledge across internal communication channels.
- Schools can organize educational assemblies, art contests, or traffic safety appreciation days to teach children the value of intersection safety.
- Local leaders and elected officials can use their platforms to advocate for safer infrastructure and automated enforcement that saves lives.
No action is too small when it comes to road safety. When leaders model this behavior, they empower entire communities to follow. We can build a culture where stopping on red is second nature — and every intersection is a place of protection, not peril.
My Personal Why
My husband, Mark, was killed by a red-light runner just one year after we were married and weeks before our daughter was born. That tragedy fuels my passion. But it doesn’t define the mission — you do. This campaign isn’t mine alone. It’s for every person who wants their loved ones to make it home safely.
You have the power to prevent heartbreak with a single choice: to stop.
Let’s Drive Change — Together
Let Stop on Red Week 2025 be the spark that creates a ripple effect of awareness, action, and accountability. Let it be the year we don’t just talk about road safety — we live it, model it, and share it.
Together, we can create safer roads, one stop at a time.
Because every life matters at every light.
Visit our campaign hub to learn more:
👉 National Stop on Red Week 2025
