Suffolk County Police to Participate in National Program Targeting Red Light Violators

The Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) is set to participate in a national program that will increase police enforcement at traffic lights throughout the region from Sunday, Aug. 1 through Saturday, Aug. 7.

Aptly titled, the 2010 National Stop on Red Week is a national campaign that is dedicated to reducing the number of drivers who run red lights. This program is also meant to decrease the fatalities and injuries that occur as a result of violating a traffic lgiht.

National Stop on Red Week is meant to inform the public about the seriousness of running red lights and educate drivers on law enforcement practices that can make roadways safer.

SCPD will utilize officers from the Highway Patrol Bureau, including the Motorcycle Section, the Community Oriented Police Enforcement (COPE) units, as well as precinct patrol units, in both marked and unmarked cars, during this national campaign to catch drivers who run red lights.

"Drivers who run red lights create a danger to everyone on the road," said Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy. "Those who violate this law, endangering others on our roadways, will be ticketed." 

SCPD Police Commissioner Richard Dormer said the number of people injured and killed in red light crashes each year is too high.

"Studies show that nearly 1,000 people are killed and more than 165,000 are injured annually in red light crashes throughout the United States," he said, "The Suffolk County Police Department is committed to reducing that number to ensure the safety of Suffolk residents."