According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the National Safety Council (NSC), and other similar traffic safety associations and authorities, running a red light is the most common cause of serious car accidents across the country. Recent data shows that at every intersection in a major city, a driver runs a red light there about once every 20 minutes. Furthermore, thousands of deaths each year – and many more disabling injuries – occur in red-light-running crashes each year.
To try to reduce the number of accidents and traffic citations involving drivers who race through red lights, the National Safety Council officially observes “Stop on Red Week”, which was originally created by the Federal Highway Administration in 1995. In 2024, Stop on Red Week is between August 4th and 10th – and you can do your part in making the roads safer by observing this nationwide safety campaign, too!
How You Can Observe Stop on Red Week 2024
Bringing the number of car accidents involving drivers who run red lights down to zero is every driver’s responsibility. Stop on Red Week 2024 highlights this fact and makes it simpler for you to do your part, just like our attorneys are here at Hilliard Law, serving clients across Texas.
A few simple things you can do to observe Stop on Red Week 2024 are:
- Commit to driving safely: The easiest and most effective way to observe Stop on Red Week 2024 and appreciate its goal of bringing red-light accidents down to zero is to commit to driving safely. When you’re driving, no one has control or responsibility over the vehicle but you, so it’s up to you entirely to make sure you obey all traffic signals and rules, which are created to help keep you and other motorists safe on the road.
- Report unsafe drivers: If you see someone on the road who is driving recklessly, try to remember details about their vehicle, including the license plate number and the direction they were heading; do not put yourself in danger by attempting to photograph their vehicle while you are operating your motor vehicle. Next, look for a safe spot to pull over like a parking lot, and report the driver to your local sheriff’s office. Reckless drivers are more likely to run red lights than responsible drivers and reporting them to the authorities could be a decision that stops them from running a red light that day.
- File complaints about broken traffic lights: Do you know of broken or defective traffic lights in your neighborhood that always cause traffic problems? Other than frustrations, broken traffic signals can confuse drivers, possibly causing them to run red lights. Call your local city hall to report the problematic traffic light, so the city or county can make arrangements to have it inspected.
- Talk to friends and family: Don’t forget that driving safely and stopping at red lights is everyone’s responsibility, including your friends and family. Talk to them about the basics of Stop on Red Week 2024. Showing that you’re concerned about the safety of drivers in your community might be what convinces them to learn more about red light safety, too.
- Share this blog: At Hilliard Law, we strongly advocate for traffic safety and responsible driving. We hope this quick blog helped you learn more about Stop on Red Week 2024 and that it allows you to easily spread the word about this important safety campaign. All you have to do is share this blog’s URL (in the search bar above) on your social media accounts, via emails or texts with friends and coworkers, and through other digital means. Thank you for helping us do our part!
Want to know more about traffic safety and Stop on Red Week 2024? Please visit our blog to read other blogs or check out the resource links provided below. If you’re ever in a car accident anywhere in Texas, including a red-light accident, you can talk to us about your legal options to pursue justice and fair compensation. Call (361) 882-1612 or fill out an online contact form whenever you need legal counsel from the trusted car accident attorneys of Hilliard Law.