Don't Run That Traffic Light!

By Kristin Smith First Coast News

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- 100 people have died in traffic fatalities so far this year in Jacksonville. That's 17 more than this time last year. Now, Jacksonville police are hoping to prevent some of those deaths, by stopping red light runners.

The JSO and the Florida Highway Patrol held a news conference Thursday at what they deem the most dangerous intersection, Atlantic and Kernan, to outline their plan.

Their plan is part of the national "Stop Red Light Running" week. There will be enhanced fines for the week, and a beef-up of patrols at the top crash sites in Jacksonville.

FHP trooper, Roger Thomas, thinks the plan is a good one. He says just patrolling for traffic violators, he sees some sad scenes.

"I see some tragic things out here," said Thomas. "I write a ticket. I see it as a life being saved, you know."

Thomas took us out looking for drivers running red lights.

"The main excuse is the light was yellow... people sitting at the red light. They get impatient," said Thomas.

It didn't take long to find one at Atlantic and Monument.

"All right this one. This one didn't even stop," Thomas told us as he went to pull over a driver.

"You're required to pull up and stop, you didn't do that, you just rolled right through," he told the woman, Donna Hines.

"I understand that, but I don't think I ran a red light," said Hines.

She got a warning.

"I'm saving you a $183 ticket, they're cracking down on that," said Thomas.

The JSO and the FHP are getting tough on drivers running red and yellow lights.

"Slow down, relax, enjoy your drive, and be safe," said JSO Sheriff John Rutherford. "That yellow light does not mean speed up and see if you can make it."

So if you have the opportunity to stop at a yellow light, the law says you have to.

Police are focusing their efforts on the top crash sites in the city.

Here's the top 10:

10 - Baymeadows Road and Southside Boulevard 9 - Beach Blvd. and St. Johns Bluff Road 8 - Beach Blvd. and San Pablo Road 7 - Beach Blvd. and Southside Blvd. 6 - J. Turner Butler Blvd. and Kernan Blvd. 5 - Blanding Blvd. and Youngerman Circle 4 - Beach Blvd. and Kernan Blvd. 3 - JTB and 9A 2 - Beach Blvd. and University Blvd.

The number one crash site is Atlantic Blvd. and Kernan, which is where one nearly happened as we interviewed the Sheriff.

"There we go! That's what we're talking about," said Rutherford, as we hear screeching tires in the background.

The enforcement of the initiative starts Saturday.

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