This morning, METRO kicked off their new “stop on red” safety campaign by unveiling a newly wrapped light rail car at their operations and maintenance facility. As an incentive to be safe, METRO will give away 52 all-day transit passes to one lucky pledge. It’s your opportunity to leave your car at home and try transit once a week, for a year, on us! (Everyone who pledges by December 31, 2010 will qualify for the raffle giveaway.)
To take the pledge or for more information on METRO’s safety campaign, visit www.metrolightrail.org/safety.
The video below shows the newly wrapped light rail car arriving to this morning’s press conference with it’s very own police escort.
During the meeting we were also told that accidents are down for the year, and METRO is very committed to safety for riders and drivers. According to Shanna Ellis at today’s meeting, “the cost for running a red light or arrow starts at $178.00.” We also learned that METRO is experiencing a 56% decrease in collisions for 2010 versus this same time last year. In 2009, there were 52 collisions ( 43 through September ) and 19, thus far, in 2010. The primary cause of METRO-involved collisions is red light running by drivers of automobiles.
In this video, a Phoenix police representative explains why it is important for people to pay attention to safety when near the light rail cars. The obvious call for action is to tell people not to run red arrows!
“Running red arrows around light rail tracks can result in serious fines, suspension of license, can injure and kill people and cause serious disruption to the public transit system.”
METRO stresses driver safety with ‘Stop on red’ train wrap
Online pledge to solidify driver commitment
PHOENIX — METRO light rail unveiled a new train wrap today. It showcases a bold, yet simple, public safety message: Stop on red. Obeying traffic signals is key to safely sharing the road with the 20-mile, in-street METRO light rail system.
“We wanted to use our most visual asset – our light rail vehicle – to convey the importance of this message,” said CEO Steve Banta. “Safety remains a METRO priority and we continue to think of creative ways to keep the message top of mind for Valley drivers and passengers.”
The Stop on Red wrapped train is now in service. The wrap will remain through the fall and winter – a busy ridership and visitor season for both METRO and the Valley of the Sun.
“The Stop on Red train wrap is a great way to remind drivers to use caution around light rail when it matters most – when they’re driving!” said METRO Board Chairman and Phoenix Councilman Tom Simplot. “METRO is using this innovative way to take the safety message right to the street.”
Also launched today is the Stop on Red online pledge. The pledge is intended to solidify drivers’ commitments to stopping on red and remaining an aware driver. As incentive, each person to sign will be entered into a drawing for 52 free all-day transit passes – a little encouragement to leave the car behind and try transit once a week, for a year.
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