SPARKS -- The Sparks Police Department will be joined by the Nevada Highway Patrol this week for an aggressive enforcement campaign focusing on various intersections throughout the city of Sparks.

Intersections are the city's highest accident locations and the cause of the accidents are often due to drivers running red lights, following to close and failing to decrease their speed upon approaching an intersection.  Drivers need to be reminded that a yellow light signals the driver to prepare to stop, not accelerate in an attempt to "beat the light".  Even if a driver accelerates and manages to enter the intersection before the light turns red they are still subject to a $150.00 citation for failing in their duty to decrease their speed.

A red light citation in the city of Sparks is also a $150.00 fine and four points on your driving record.  If a driver receives three or more red light citations within a year their drivers license will be suspended and they will be required to re-test to get another license.

The officers are being paid for by a grant awarded to the two agencies by the Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety.  These enforcement efforts are an attempt by the City of Sparks and the Office of Traffic Safety to reduce traffic accidents and therefore reduce injuries and property damage.  A good campaign would be where no citations were written and all motorist obeyed the traffic laws.