Traffic Safety Coalition Announces New Safety Campaign in Pennsylvania

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Apr 19, 2012, 02:18 ET

SafeIntersections.com and new video call for expanded use of intersection safety cameras in the state

CHICAGO, April 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Traffic Safety Coalition (TSC), a not-for-profit, grassroots organization working to make roads safer for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, has launched www.SafeIntersections.com, a new safety campaign in Pennsylvania to engage Pennsylvania citizens and direct them to sign a letter to state legislators expressing support for the expanded use of red light cameras in the state. Signatures will be collected through the website and delivered to legislators in April and May.

Pennsylvania roads are dangerous and the numbers tell the story. In 2010, more than 1,300 people were killed in crashes, an average of more than three people per day. Of those fatal crashes, 148 involved vulnerable pedestrians.

For more than seven years, Philadelphia has used intersection safety cameras with enormous success, reducing red light violations by more than 90 percent - from 4,000 per month to just 300. ("Debate continues over use of red-light cameras to curb crashes," PennLive.com, 2/21/2011)

Bipartisan legislation introduced by Senator Dominic Pileggi and Representative Paul Costa is gaining momentum in Harrisburg and would allow law enforcement in nearly 20 additional communities to use this lifesaving technology.

"Red light cameras catch drivers who break the law, change driver behavior, reduce crashes and save lives. Every community in Pennsylvania should be able to use this life-saving technology before another person is needlessly killed in a red light running crash," said TSC Pennsylvania Honorary Chair Jacy Good, an advocate for increased traffic safety since being involved in a 2008 red-light running crash in Reading, Penn. which resulted in the deaths of both her parents.

As a part of the Safe Intersections campaign, the TSC has released a new video that shares Jacy's story and highlights Pennsylvania road safety statistics and can be viewed at http://youtu.be/79-YXuJNUGc

Traffic crashes are the leading cause of preventable death in the United States each year. A 2011 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study affirms the life-saving effects of traffic safety cameras. The study compared crash rates before and after cities initiated safety camera programs, and compared cities with camera enforcement to those without, concluding 159 lives were saved in those 14 cities because of safety cameras and an average 24 percent reduction in fatal red light running crashes.

To sign the pledge or for more information, visit http://www.safeintersections.com/ or facebook.com/SafeIntersections.

About the Traffic Safety Coalition:

The Traffic Safety Coalition is a not-for-profit, grassroots organization comprised of concerned citizens, traffic safety experts, law enforcement, public officials, victim's advocates, health care professionals, and industry leaders who are committed to working together to make our roads safer for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. We work with our partners throughout the country to promote technology and education that save lives and keep our roads safe.

For more information, visit www.trafficsafetycoalition.com or connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/trafficsafetycoalition and Twitter: www.twitter.com/TrafficSafetyCn

SOURCE Traffic Safety Coalition