Cornell University Police is participating in National Stop on Red Week 2003, Aug. 30-Sept. 5 – a national law-enforcement program dedicated to educating American motorists about the dangers of running red lights. Cornell Police will enforce the program by fielding extra traffic patrols on campus during that week.

Cornell officers will monitor intersections on the university's central campus and issue traffic citations for all traffic infractions observed. Various intersections will be monitored randomly during this period, including intersections with stop signs. Motorists who run red lights and stop signs and who fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians will be ticketed and charged in this zero-tolerance enforcement effort.

According to federal, state and local highway safety statistics:

• In 2000, nationally, motorists who ran red lights caused 106,000 crashes, 89,000 injuries and 1,036 fatalities.
• From 1998 to 2000 in New York state, motorists who ran red lights and stop signs caused 79 fatal intersection crashes, killing 260 people.
• From 1998 to 2000, Cornell Police investigated 22 motor vehicle crashes involving pedestrians who were injured, 12 of which occurred at intersections. And 867 traffic citations were issued for motorists who ran red lights and stop signs.

The extra traffic patrols on campus during the week, Aug. 30-Sept. 5, are funded through a grant from the New York State Governor's Traffic Safety Committee. National Stop on Red Week is sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration and the American Trauma Society.

Cornell Police warns all motorists that this enforcement effort is a zero-tolerance program. "There will be no warnings and no excuses," said Cornell Police Sgt. Chuck Howard.