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National Stop on Red Week is Sept. 1-7, as observed by the Federal Highway Administration and the American Trauma Society.
According to the FHWA, more than 1.8 million intersection crashes occur each year. In 1999, 92,000 crashes, 90,000 injuries and 950 deaths were attributed to red light running.
The local Focus on Safety group, headed by Warsaw resident Ann Sweet, has prepared brochures that will be offered to students at Warsaw Community High School, Lakeland Christian Academy, Lighthouse Christian Academy, Ivy Tech and Grace College.
Erica Wilson, daughter of Dave and Nancy Wilson, Warsaw, a WCHS sophomore, will coordinate distribution of brochures.
Wilson and Dr. Jennifer Brumfield, WCHS assistant principal, will present a videotape on traffic safety at the school, too.
Additionally, Warsaw and Winona Lake police departments, along with the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, will join other police departments when they hand out the brochures to traffic offenders during the week.
"Increasing awareness among the driving public of the extreme danger of running red lights is a very important part of highway traffic safety efforts," Sweet said. "As more drivers internalize the fact that all intersections carry a high risk factor, the higher becomes the chance of intersection crash avoidance."
Sweet, who lost a daughter to a red-light runner on U.S. 30, has tirelessly campaigned for legalization of traffic light cameras that snap a picture of red-light violators.
She testified during state committee meetings on the matter and traveled to Washington, D.C., to submit testimony.
State Senator Kent Adams is drafting a new version of a red- light camera bill for the next legislative session.
