News and Press Releases Monday, August 7, 2023

Local agencies are partnering to remind commuters to follow the rules of the road as part of National Stop on Red Week.

The Ada County Highway District, COMPASS Idaho and the cities of Boise, Eagle, Garden City and Meridian are joining forces to provide important education and increased enforcement in an effort to ensure drivers are stopping at red lights.

National Stop on Red Week, which runs August 6-12 this year, serves as a crucial reminder of the personal responsibility each driver has in obeying red lights when behind the wheel. Meridian and Boise Police Departments will ramp up patrols, focusing on drivers disregarding red lights.

“Obeying traffic signals is not a suggestion, it’s the law, and all drivers are responsible for following it,” said Boise Police Sgt. Matt Konvalinka. “Aggressive driving is dangerous driving for you and every road user, drivers should approach intersections with care and consideration so we can all make it home safe.”

In 2021, 1,109 people lost their lives in the United States due to red light running, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. In Idaho, failing to obey a traffic control device was listed as the fifth most common traffic violation, with 7,231 citations in 2021, according to the Idaho Transportation Department’s Office of Highway Safety.

“Red light running is dangerous. No amount of time saved is worth the risk of hurting yourself and others around you,” said Meridian Traffic Sgt. Tara Smith. “Give yourself plenty of time and obey traffic signals to make sure you and others around you get to your destinations safely.”

In addition to being dangerous, running a red light can also cost you. A ticket for reckless driving can range from $90-$400 in Ada County.

Throughout the week, the local agencies will also publish educational information on their social media channels.

“While it takes a great deal of education and expertise to properly build a roadway and time the signals of a large transportation network, the safety of the community goes far beyond engineering and design,” said Ryan Head, ACHD Deputy Director of Development and Technical Services. “We have a shared responsibility to keep one another safe on the roadway.”

The agencies invite the public to join in on the campaign by wearing red on Wednesday, August 9, and sharing reminders on their own social media networks.