May 18, 2015 Office of the Governor 136 State Capitol Bldg. Denver, CO 80203 Dear Governor Hickenlooper: As individuals who have either lost a loved one or been personally involved in a crash as a result of someone running a red light, we know how it feels to lose a loved one because of a quick, reckless decision, and to have our lives changed forever in a split second. As a result of our experiences and a desire to prevent other families from experiencing the same loss, we ask you to veto HB 1098 and SB 276. Passing this deadly legislation would strip local law enforcement of the ability to use proven life-saving technology to catch speeders and red light runners, and hold them accountable for their reckless driving decisions. We can all agree red-light running is dangerous and can result in serious injury or death. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, red light running crashes caused 683 deaths and injured an estimated 133,000 people in the United States in 2012 alone. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports half of the people killed in red-light running crashes are not the red light runners they are innocent drivers, bystanders, children, and pedestrians. The data is indisputable that Colorados red light camera programs have successfully changed driver behavior and reduced red light running, crashes and injuries. For example, Boulder saw a 67.5% reduction in the number of collisions (Denver Post, 2/8/15). Greenwood Village witnessed a 54% reduction in the number of collisions at the intersection of Belleview Ave. and Quebec St. (Denver Post, 4/24/14), and Denver experienced a 27% reduction the number of collisions at four photo-enforced intersections (Denver Post, 2/8/15). We are concerned if the red light camera programs are shut down, we could see dramatic increases in red light running and crashes, as has happened in other states. Just earlier this year, Newark, New Jersey was forced to sunset its statewide camera program and saw a 116% increase in red light running in just three months at intersections where cameras once operated (City of Newark, 2015). Similarly, in Houston, collisions increased 117% at intersections where cameras once operated (KTRK-13, 6/8/11). When Albuquerque, New Mexico turned off cameras at three of its intersections, the city saw incidences of red light running and speeding increase by 584% in just five months (KRQE, 5/27/11). You are in an important position to preserve cities access to a tool that we know saves lives and help enforce our most basic traffic safety laws. Please keep in mind; you or your loved ones are more likely to be injured due to a red light running-related crash than any other type of crash. Speeding and running red lights will put your loved ones and innocent bystanders at risk if use of traffic safety cameras is discontinued. Please stand with us in supporting safe roads and safety cameras to protect innocent children, families, friends, and neighbors in Colorado and veto HB 1098 and SB 276. No one should ever have to go through what we have experienced. We encourage the use of any tool or technology that will keep Colorado families safe and prevent another senseless tragedy. Sincerely, Paul & Sue Oberhauser, Parents of red light running victim Jacy Good, Red light running victim, parents killed in red light running crash Frank Hinds, Daughter killed by red light runner John & Kathy Phillipi, Parents of red light running victim Melanie & Michael Swanson, Parents of red light running victim Pam & Ty Woods, Grandparents of red light running victim JoAnn Castellano, Grandmother of red light running victim Tedeux Yang, Fiance of red light running victim Barbara Hoffman, Mother of red light running victim Pat & Howard Fleischmann, Parents of red light running victim Charles & Laura Sobczak, Father killed in red light running crash Dave & Tracy Zentz, Son killed in red light running crash Jay & Shelley Wonders, Son killed by reckless driver