West Virginia Targets Red Light Runners in Statewide Crackdown

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The West Virginia Governor's Highway Safety Program is partnering with law enforcement across the state for a two-week 'Target Red' enforcement mobilization, focusing on drivers who fail to stop at red traffic lights and stop signs. The campaign aims to address the alarming rise in intersection-related crashes, injuries, and fatalities in the state.

Why it matters

Intersection-related crashes account for a significant portion of all crashes, fatalities, and serious injuries in West Virginia, with speeding and aggressive driving being the top causal factors. The Target Red campaign has proven effective in the past at reducing red light violations and resulting crashes.

The details

During the April 1-15 enforcement period, officers will be closely monitoring drivers and issuing citations for 'rolling stops' and failure to fully stop at red lights and stop signs. Nationally, 1 in 3 Americans knows someone injured or killed in a red-light running crash, and intersection-related crashes made up nearly half of all fatal crashes in West Virginia between 2019-2023.

• The Target Red enforcement mobilization runs from April 1-15, 2026.
• The Target Red campaign was first conducted in the Beckley, WV area in 2008, reducing red light violations and crashes by 60%.

What’s next

The campaign's effectiveness will be evaluated after the two-week enforcement period to determine if it should be expanded or repeated in the future.