Red Light-Runners Beware: Indy Cops Watching

Eyes will be fixed on drivers who run red lights at some of the busiest intersections in Marion County, just as the busy holiday season gets into gear.

Police in Marion County are launching a new partnership which will put officers on the street in special enforcement zones to crack down on people who run red lights and commit other traffic offenses, 6News' Julie Pursley reported.

Stop 11 Road at U.S. 31 South, just north of Greenwood Park Mall, is one of the target enforcement zones because it is designated as one of the most dangerous intersections in the county.

Motorists who get pulled over in the high crash zones should expect to get a ticket.

"Officers are on zero tolerance. They are being paid overtime," said Don Bickel, of the Marion County Traffic Safety Partnership.

Police agencies are teaming up to try to cut down on the number of accidents and fatalities at intersections.

People who work near 31 and Stop 11 said the area is notorious for accidents because drivers are in a hurry.

"That light gets ran all of the time," said Craig Niehaus, manager of a nearby Jiffy Lube. "I've been here going on three years there have been four (crashes) since I've been here."

Five other areas, considered high-crash intersections, will also be targeted. Those intersections are:

86th Street at Keystone Avenue

Washington Street at Mitthoeffer Road

Lafayette Road at Georgetown Road

High School Road at Crawfordsville Road

79th Street at Michigan Road

Enforcement zones will be set up in those areas, and police will also be on the lookout for other violations.

On Tuesday morning, a man was ticketed for driving on a suspended license when he was stopped for a seat belt violation.

AAA Hoosier Motor Club is joining the partnership to get the word out that the crackdown is not about officers writing tickets, but is about saving lives.

"We're all working together to try to emphasize that people need to pay attention," said Greg Seiter, of AAA. "They need to adhere. They need to slow down and take their time."

Several enforcement zones are near major malls. Police will patrol them heavily during the busy shopping period, but enforcement is expected to continue into next year.