The Cape Coral Police Department is attempting to raise awareness along with the National Coalition for Safer Roads of the severe dangers posed by those who violate red lights, stop signs, and other traffic control devices.

National Stop On Red Week runs from August 1st-7th as an awareness campaign about how dangerous and life-threatening red light and stop sign violations are.

The Cape Coral Police Department’s Traffic Unit and Patrol officers will be taking enforcement action (as is done 7 days a week, 365 days a year) on any drivers violating these traffic laws.

Safety is the responsibility of everyone — not just during Stop On Red Week, but every day and every time someone takes to the road. Below are some sobering national statistics that illustrate the dangers of not taking this responsibility seriously:

• Throughout the 52 Fridays in 2020, more than 445,000 drivers ran red lights, making it the deadliest day for road users at signaled intersections.
• More drivers ran red lights in August than any other month.
• More than 875,000 red-light running violations occurred between the hours of 1pm-5pm.
• Labor Day weekend was the highest ranked holiday travel period for red-light running.
• More than 2.8 million drivers ran red lights in 2020.

TOP TEN REASONS TO STOP ON RED

1. It is 100% preventable. Just STOP ON RED.
2. In 2019, 846 people died and 143,000 were injured due to red-light running.
3. In 2020, the U.S. witnessed the largest number of motor vehicle deaths since 1924.
4. One in three Americans know someone who has been injured or killed in a red-light running crash.
5. Between 2008-2019, an estimated 9,227 people were killed in red-light running related crashes.
6. On average, two people died each day in red-light running related crashes in the U.S. in 2019.
7. Over half the deaths in red-light running crashes are pedestrians, bicyclists and occupants in vehicles other than the vehicle running the red light.
8. The most common type of urban crashes involve drivers who run red lights, stop signs and other traffic controls.
9. 86% of AAA’s 2019 surveyed drivers say it is extremely dangerous to speed through red lights.
10. Red-light running can be fatal.