No More Warnings From Yakima Police For Red Light Runners

Yakima Police say they will no longer give warnings to people caught not stopping for a red light. Capt. Jay Seely says Officers are now required to make 4 stops each day and now they'll be writing more citations because some red light runners have been getting warnings. Now police say they'll write citations for $140. Police say drivers are still not stopping for red lights and crashes are still happening despite the ongoing patrols.

RED LIGHT CRASHES HAPPEN EVERYWHERE ALL THE TIME

During the week of February 12 through February 18 Officers investigated 26 collisions, 12 the result of a driver not stopping for a red light. They also made 673 stops and issued 278 citations and arrested 12 drivers for DUI. The numbers aren't changing much especially the number of drivers running red lights. Capt. Jay Seely says that's very concerning and the reason why they've stopped warning some drivers for the violation.

THE NUMBERS AREN'T CHANGING MUCH FROM WEEK TO WEEK

The numbers are similar to the week of February 5 through February 11 when Officers investigated 26 different collisions with 14 of the crashes the result of drivers not stopping for a red light. During the week 817 drivers were stopped for a traffic violations and many were given warnings because 314 citations were issued.

Seely says the fact that people are still not obeying traffic laws by not stopping for red lights is one of the strongest reasons why they continue the patrols.

DID YOU GET A TICKET LAST MONTH?

All total so far this month Officers have made a total of 2,383 traffic stops and have issued 933 citations to drivers.
Yakima Police Capt. Jay Seely says he believes the patrols are making an impact sending a message to many drivers to slow down and stop for red lights. He says the patrols will continue as part of the department's ongoing work to make Yakima safe.