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August 2004, #23
Yellow means “Brake”
Each year, more than 1.8 million intersection crashes occur.
The numbers, nationwide, for crashes, injuries, and deaths
due to red light running are extremely high. According to
a survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation
and the American Trauma Society, 63% of Americans see someone
running a red light at least a few times a week and, at most,
once a day.
August 30 – September 6 of this year is designated
as the nationwide Stop on Red Week. We need everyone’s
help to reduce red light running. It is a dangerous form
of aggressive driving, which is as serious a concern as drunk
driving and not using seatbelts. Alameda Police Department
officers are particularly alert to this problem. For the
first seven months of this year, red light running has caused
14 property damage accidents and 17 injuries. APD has issued
305 citations for red light violations.
The yellow light phase means that if you have not entered
the intersection, you must stop if you can do so safely.
It does not mean “hit the accelerator.” ”.
For motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians waiting at a red
light, for your own safety you should not proceed
until you have looked to ensure that a
motorist is not sailing through the red. It happens more than we would like to
admit and we must be very alert to avoid a tragedy.
Pedestrians should look carefully and try and even catch the eye of the motorist
to ensure that you are seen before stepping off the curb. Parents should teach
their children to wait and look for cars when the light turns green and then
cross when the coast is clear.
Red light runners do not conform to a set demographic – the dangerous practice
reaches across drivers of all age, economic groups and gender. They are everyday
people: professionals, blue-collar workers, unemployed, homemakers, parents,
and young adults.
People tend to run red lights by nothing more complicated than being in a hurry.
Are a few seconds worth it? Drivers know they do it as you often see how sheepishly
they look about after running the light.
We all have a responsibility to act appropriately on the streets. Cars and bicyclists
need to stop on Red (no exceptions) and pedestrians need to cross with the light
when they are at signalized crosswalks. Crossing against the “Walk” sign
and running red lights add uncertainty and confusion to the streets and that’s
when people get hurt.
If you have questions regarding pedestrian/bicycle safety, please call Sergeant
Ted Horlbeck, Alameda Police Traffic Department at 337-8300. John Knox White
and Audrey Lord-Hausman work with Pedestrian Friendly Alameda (www.pedfriendly.org)
and Bike Alameda (www.bikealameda.org).
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