What is Red Means Stop?

The Red Means Stop Coalition dba The Red Means Stop Traffic Safety Alliance has been in existence since 1998 when three fathers who were affected by Red Light Runners came together to start the non-profit organization. Frank Hinds, the founder of Red Means Stop, and his wife Gail lost their 17 year old daughter, Jennifer when a red light runner hit the vehicle Jennifer was in. Krystal Philippi suffered a traumatic brain injury when she and her date Sam Marquis were hit by a driver who ran a red light because he was hurrying to get his boat into storage. That was Krystal’s prom night that forever changed her life. Frank, Sam and John came together to form the Red Means Stop Coalition. Since then there have been countless more individuals that have lost loved ones here in Arizona and across the nation. In 2014 the organization published the book, “Carelessness is No Accident,” which contains important information about red light running and many victim stories.

Red Means Stop members continued to work to educate the public about the consequences of red light running. In 2008 they expanded their messaging to include distracted driving and other traffic safety concerns. For years volunteer members have worked tirelessly working to get the message out that distracted driving which often leads to running a red light can have devastating consequences. When I hear people complaining about a ticket they received or the fine they have to pay and they say, “I only ran a red light,” I want to scream at the top of my lungs; “Do you understand what could have happened?” Do you understand that people’s lives are cut short and families are devastated when people “just run a red light?”

Red Means Stop has exhibited in hundreds of safety events across the valley and many of its members have been speakers at high schools to help educate our youth about distracted driving and the devastating results of running a red light. In 2012 the organization decided to provide driver training scholarships to young people who could not afford driver training. Since then over 60 students have been awarded scholarships to DrivingMBA.