Red traffic light? Don't forget to stop

Beginning Monday, law enforcement across the state will spend a week cracking down on red light runners.

August 2 through 8 is National Stop on Red Week, and the Florida Highway Patrol will be working with other state and local officers to spot drivers who don't stop at red lights, an effort to reduce crashes and injuries to pedestrians, bike riders, and other drivers.

FHP says more than 1,400 crashes in the state were caused by red light runners last year, killing 56 people and injuring more than 5,000.

Those totals don't include a St. Petersburg crash that claimed the lives of an Orlando man and his three sons early Sunday morning. Police say another driver, who may have been drunk, hit them after he ran a red light at a high rate of speed.

Governor Charlie Crist legalized the use of red light cameras by state and local governments earlier this year to help save lives.

Drivers who are caught on a red light camera face a $158 fine.

The law went into effect on July 1 and was named in memorial of a Bradenton man killed by a red light runner seven years ago.