Cactus Village Community

RED LIGHT RUNNING

Jul 10, 2003

Phoenix is the number one city in the nation for red light fatalities. And four years ago, three individuals whose lives were forever changed by drivers running a red light decided to do something about it. They made it their mission to move Phoenix out of that undesirable position, forming the Red Means Stop Coalition. Their goal? Push to enact legislation to increase the penalties for causing injury or death by running red lights, and increase public awareness of the potentially devastating effects of this irresponsible action. The consequences for the driver responsible all too often are minor; those for the victims, life-altering.

I talked to an inspiring young woman named Katie Hodge, a survivor of such an accident in which she lost a child and suffered significant injuries herself. Katie?’s parents are our North Glen neighbors, which brings this all home. Few of us can even conceive of such a loss. Although it has taken time, Katie?’s recovery is a remarkable one. She prefers to think of herself, not as a victim, but as a survivor. And who are survivors if not the heroes who have faced tragedy and overwhelming loss, ultimately triumphing in recovery? Katie, now a Board member of the Coalition, works hard to promote safety awareness programs and believes that part of the key to reducing or eliminating the problem lies in stiffer penalties for those at fault; the other, education of the public, particularly young drivers. And perhaps we all need to be reminded that it is every driver?’s personal responsibility to be alert at all times to the world around us, and to obey traffic signals and other rules of the road as a sign of respect for not only the law, but our fellow man. The consequences of not doing so can be devastating. So when you see the Coalition?’s little red antenna balls, remember Katie, and encourage others to give some extra thought to the ?“what ifs?” in life.

For more information on the Red Means Stop Coalition, or to request a speaker for your classroom or organization, call their office at 602-323-9163.

Did You Know?
Red Light Running
In Phoenix Each Year:
Injures more than 3.400 people
Kills approximately 25 people
Results in more than 9,000 traffic citations
Causes damage to more than 8,500 vehicles. . . ☺