One of the most basic traffic rules in the country is that you must stop at a red traffic light. However, violating this rule remains one of the country’s leading causes of fatal crashes, with 928 deaths in 2020 alone, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Every single day, you see people carelessly running a red light here and there. Thus, Stop On Red Week gives the country a whole week in August (August 7-13 in 2022) to emphasize red traffic lights and their importance in keeping our country’s roads safe for all.
Do you want to be part of the solution and advocate for Stop On Red Week? Read on below to learn more:
What is Stop On Red Week?
Stop On Red Week is a week-long observance in August to bring attention to red traffic lights. The US has been observing this event for a long time. The Federal Highway Administration started observing Stop On Red Week in 1995 to educate the public and prevent traffic crashes resulting in injury and death. It aims to help raise awareness about red light running and reduce traffic accidents caused by this violation.
Today, we have high-tech camera systems to help curb traffic accidents. However, we still observe Stop On Red Week to stay vigilant in keeping crashes at bay and making US roads safe for motorists and pedestrians.
What Can I Do to Observe Stop On Red Week?
As a motorist and pedestrian, you can do several things to help observe Stop on Red Week. Here are some simple things you can do to contribute:
Share red traffic light facts on social media.
By doing this, you can raise awareness among your family, friends, and loved ones. Simply reminding a friend about running a red light can save lives.
Post or pass out posters in your community.
Some people prefer to read newspapers, magazines, or even posters. Handing out physical copies of traffic rules relating to red traffic lights can help increase awareness and road safety for non-tech-savvy people. You can also take this opportunity to remind them of essential driving habits that’ll benefit everyone in your community.
Watch or screen car safety videos and documentaries.
If you don’t feel confident about discussing road safety information yourself, share them with your family and friends through videos or documentaries. Videos can also be an excellent option for young drivers who are just getting the hang of driving.
For more information about road safety for various situations, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website here.
Educate people about the hazards of Running A Red Light
For experienced drivers, Stop On Red Week might seem like any other week. However, it can make a difference between life and death for some. Sadly, some drivers might not be as careful as you. Some might even have forgotten basic road safety practices because they’ve gotten used to negligent driving habits. For those instances, Stop On Red Week exists to:
- Review and reintroduce basic traffic rules, which drivers commonly violate repeatedly.
- Help drivers establish safe and proper driving habits, specifically traffic light rules.
- Highlights the importance of traffic lights and how dangerous running a red light can be to motorists and pedestrians.
The U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg shared in an article on the NHTSA website, “we face a crisis on America’s roadways that we must address together.”
All of us, including our family and friends, venture out on roads and highways as an essential part of everyday life. Likewise, we can all do our part to make our streets safer. Jacoby & Meyers agree that we should do our best to raise awareness of traffic violations that can lead to fatal crashes.
If you’d like to learn more about the observance of Stop On Red Week, click here.
[INFOGRAPHIC] Why You Must Stop on Red
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