9OYS Crime Watch
Tucson police track down HAWK light offenders
Reporter: Cory Marshall
Web Producer: Taylor Higgins, Mekita Rivas
TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - It's no secret pedestrian safety is a problem on Tucson streets. According to Tucson Police, there have been nine pedestrian deaths on Tucson streets so far this year. In 2012, there were eight.
"It's extremely frustrating. We're out here everyday -- ten hours a day, trying to make a difference in this and everyday there's something going on with a collision with pedestrians that are involved," TPD Motorcycle Officer Mike Davis said.
Within five minutes of tagging along with Officer Davis, he pulled over our first HAWK light offender of the day at Oracle Road and Kelso Road. Police say Bobby Drew zipped through the flashing red HAWK light without stopping.
"You become oblivious because it becomes so routine. You're no longer looking for the light you're just looking for the pedestrian to get out of the way," Drew said.
"People are preoccupied sometimes in their vehicles. Then again, you say they are efficient, but it didn't work for you," 9OYS's Cory Marshall said to Drew.
"That's because I'm not efficient," Drew replied.
Ten minutes later we caught three more HAWK light runners...back to back to back.
Their excuse? Each driver told police they did not know they had to stop.
"So when you do come up to the red lights when it is flashing you still need to stop okay," Davis said to one of the offenders.
"What's the answer to this? Is there an answer to protecting pedestrians out on Tucson roads," we asked.
"I don't know. I wish I had an answer for this. I really do," Davis replied.
Officer Davis says the problem circles back to both driver and pedestrian inattention.
"We need this. Too many people are dying for this."
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