In 2003, a driver running a red light caused a crash that resulted in the death of my husband, Mark. In an instant, my world changed, and so did my purpose.

Since that day, I’ve dedicated my life to ensuring no other family has to face the same heartbreak. And I’ve learned this truth: red lights are not just rules, they are lifesavers.

During National Stop on Red Week (August 4–8, 2025), I invite you to pause and consider the life behind every red light. That pause, just a few seconds, can be the difference between another safe journey home and tragedy.

In partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 5, the National Coalition for Safer Roads is committed to transforming this week of awareness into a movement of action. We believe that data, advocacy, and human stories have the power to change behavior, and save lives.

The numbers are staggering. Red-light running crashes killed more than 1,100 people in the U.S. in 2023. Thousands more were injured, many of them pedestrians, cyclists, or innocent drivers simply passing through an intersection.

But there is hope, and real progress.

FDOT District 5 is leading the way with data-informed intersection safety improvements, public education efforts, and support for local advocates who are taking this message into their communities. From upgraded signal timing to enhanced enforcement and community campaigns, lives are being saved right here in Florida.

At the National Coalition for Safer Roads, we are amplifying these efforts with tools that anyone can use:
• Advocacy toolkits with customizable graphics and talking points
• Success stories that show how one voice can inspire change
• Social media content that spreads the message far and wide

And most importantly, we’re sharing real stories, like mine. Because statistics can feel distant, but personal stories move us to act.

This isn’t just about transportation policy. This is about people, families and communities. It’s about doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. Every time you stop on red, you’re protecting lives, including your own.

What can you do?

• Visit https://ncsrsafety.org/stop-on-red-week-2025/ and take the Stop on Red Pledge
• Share the message on social media using #StopOnRed
• Start conversations—with your family, your workplace, your city
• Be an example behind the wheel

We all have the power to make our roads safer, one red light at a time.

Because behind every intersection is a life that matters.