Tulsa police target red-light runners
BY World's Editorials Writers
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
11/27/12 at 2:57 AM
The Tulsa Police Department's latest initiative targeting red-light runners along a busy city street is welcome news. Here's hoping officers get the attention of some of the worst offenders, and that they also send a message to motorists all over town to abide by the law.
The Mingo Valley Division's traffic unit was to begin targeted patrols at major intersections along the busiest stretch of Memorial Drive on Monday. According to accident data from 2011, a total of 242 wrecks occurred at the 61st, 71st and 81st street intersections that year.
Police will not be issuing warnings during this new crackdown, but will instead be issuing traffic fines of $200. That's a pretty steep price to pay for shaving a few minutes off one's travel time.
As Tulsa's traffic congestion has grown over the years, so too has the problem of red-light running. In downtown Tulsa, it's not unusual to see red-light running every single day of the work week. (Hint: How about an enforcement program downtown, too?)
Red-light running has become one of those modern-day problems that seem to grow out of hectic, jam-packed schedules.
But running the stoplight could mean serious injury and even death. According to police, running red lights is the leading cause of injury collisions at intersections.
There are plenty of problems that we face day in and day out that don't have simple solutions. This one does. Aside from a medical crisis, there's no good, justifiable reason to run a red light. Let's abide by traffic controls so that everyone has the chance to enjoy the holiday season.
Original Print Headline: Stop!
