Cocoa Beach Recognizes National Stop On Red Week

By  //  August 7, 2013

National Stop on Red Week runs Aug. 4-10

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA – Cocoa Beach will observe National Stop on Red Week 2013, which runs Aug. 4-10, by reminding residents that Red-light Safety Cameras are part of a comprehensive effort to improve traffic safety in our community for all motorists, residents, families and children.

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Sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration, the National Stop on Red Week is dedicated to educating Americans about the dangers of running red lights and to reducing the number and severity of traffic citations and crashes. (Shutterstock image)

Sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration, the National Stop on Red Week is dedicated to educating Americans about the dangers of running red lights and to reducing the number and severity of traffic citations and crashes.

Intersection safety is an important topic as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that motorists are more likely to be injured in urban crashes involving red light running than in other types of urban crashes.

Cocoa Beach implemented a road safety program in April 2010 to improve traffic safety in the community. Program trends show that the number of violations occurring at locations with Red-light Safety Cameras decreases the longer they have been active.

At the program’s infancy in May 2010, the average number of red-light running violations issued per camera per month was 299.

As of April 2013, that number has diminished to 107. As violations decrease, the opportunity for dangerous red-light running related crashes also drops, contributing to safer traveling throughout the city.

Intersection safety is an important topic as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that motorists are more likely to be injured in urban crashes involving red light running than in other types of urban crashes.

Of the total number of violators who have been issued and paid a red-light violation in Cocoa Beach, 94% of violators have received only one violation since the program’s inception through May 2013.

This indicates a low rate of repeat violators and a change in driver behavior. “Our goal is to make Cocoa Beach roadways safer as drivers modify their driving habits and realize they can no longer run red lights.

PROGRAM DETERS RED-LIGHT RUNNERS

This public safety program deters red-light runners and prevents collisions resulting from these violations” said Arthur “Bud” Ayres, Chief of Police.

“The steady decline in red-light running violations shows our road safety program is succeeding and creating safer roads. This program is totally funded from violators, not taxpayers and benefits the community at large by increasing intersection safety for our residents, families and children.”

THE CAMERAS ARE LOCATED AT THE FOLLOWING INTERSECTIONS

• North Atlantic Ave/SR A1A @ Fisher Park

• North Atlantic Ave/SR A1A @ West Cocoa Beach Causeway

• North Atlantic Ave/SR A1A @ South Shepard Drive

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As of April 2013, that number has diminished to 107. As violations decrease, the opportunity for dangerous red-light running related crashes also drops, contributing to safer traveling throughout the city. (Shutterstock.com image)

The City of Cocoa Beach would like to remind drivers how to safely approach an intersection.  Drivers should always slow down and prepare to make a complete stop when a light turns yellow.

Yellow lights provide drivers instruction to prepare for a change in traffic flow.  Always yield to pedestrians as they have the right of way and always come to a full and complete stop before turning right on red. It’s the law.

Make sure the roadway is clear before proceeding and work with us to improve traffic safety in our community.

Cameras operate 24-hours a day and capture images of every vehicle entering an intersection after the traffic signal is already red.

The program vendor, American Traffic Solutions (ATS), then sends the images and video of each potential violation to the Cocoa Beach Police Department who reviews the potential violations and decides if a citation should be mailed to the vehicle owner.

Safety is the responsibility of every driver, not just during Stop on Red Week, but every day and every time someone gets behind the wheel of a vehicle.  Intersection safety is an important aspect of safety in our community for all motorists, bicyclist and pedestrians.