MDOT Supports National Stop on Red Week

Innocent lives are lost every day when drivers recklessly decide to run red lights.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) supports National Stop on Red Week, held August 2-8, to remind drivers that running a red light is never worth the dangerous consequences.

According to data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), a total of 7,799 lives were lost from red light running between 2004 and 2013 across the nation. In 2013 alone, 697 people were killed and an estimated 127,000 were injured in crashes that involved red light running.

The aggressive driving that typically precedes red light running is completely preventable. A survey asked drivers to speculate why motorists ran red lights, and the majority guessed that they were in a hurry. However, MDOT wants to remind drivers that the danger outweighs whatever pressing issue that driver may be facing.

“The time saved by avoiding a red-light is not worth the potential cost in human lives,” said MDOT executive director Melinda McGrath. “Please use caution when traveling through intersections, especially near work zones.”

To learn more about MDOT’s Safety Education Program and take the safe driving pledge, visit: http://mdot.ms.gov/safetyeducation/pledge/. Join the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtag #StopOnRed2015.