Mobile police issued 415 citations and warnings on Tuesday and Wednesday as part of its “Red Light Blitz” focused on traffic light violations.
The effort comes after a string of dangerous and deadly vehicle crashes at traffic lights. A 38-year-old woman was killed on Sept. 9, after a crash at Airport Boulevard and McGregor Avenue in which 37-year-old Spencer Strickland ran a red light. Strickland was arrested on a charge of manslaughter.
“Due to serious and fatal traffic accidents that have occurred on our roads this year, our officers stepped up enforcement this week and monitored 12 key intersections across the city,” Mobile Police Chief William “Randy” Jackson said in a statement. “We’re also listening to the citizens who have voiced their concerns to us in reference to seeing vehicles running red lights. It’s important drivers obey the law to ensure their safety and the safety of others. I consider this a successful operation, and we can only hope driver’s will pay closer attention to their driving habits going forward on the roads.”