In 2018, 846 people nationwide were killed in crashes that involved red-light running and an estimated 139,000 people were injured, the IIHS reports. Florida Today

Thursday morning, roughly 20 waving volunteers held red rectangular signs to catch the eyes of motorists at the intersection ofWickham Road and the Pineda Causeway Extension.

Always. Stop. On. Red.

In 2018,846 people nationwide were killed in crashes that involved red-light running and an estimated 139,000 people were injured, theInsurance Institute for Highway Safety reports.

About half of the 846 victimswere pedestrians, bicyclists and people in other vehicles who were hit by the red-light runners,IIHS reports.

We must humanize these numbers. These are not just statistics. These are people day-in day-out, going to work, coming home and are just picked out of life, said Melissa Wandall, president of the National Coalition for Safer Roads.

Wandall's group organized the sign-waving event in conjunction withNational Stop on Red Week. Participants included the Brevard County Sheriff's Office motorcycle unit, Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization, Titusville Fire Department, Florida Highway Patrol andThe Viera Co.

During the event, Wandall said a motorist made an illegal right-hand turn at a red light and nearly struck volunteers who were trying to cross thePineda Causeway Extension.

Volunteers stood Thursday morning at the intersection of Wickham Road and the Pineda Causeway Extension during National Stop on Red Week.(Photo: MALCOLM DENEMARK/FLORIDA TODAY)

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On Oct. 24, 2003, Wandall's husband, Mark, was killed by a red-light runner in a T-bone crash on State Road 70 in Bradenton. He was a passenger in a vehicle driven by her brother. She said the red-light runner was traveling about 50 mph.

We were nine months' pregnant with our daughter. My husband could not wait to be a dad,"Wandall said.

"He did not get that opportunity,she said.

The couple's daughter, Madisyn, was born on Nov. 13, 2004. Now 16, she volunteered during Thursdays event.

If every one of us left here today and stopped on red, we could all save a life. It takes a moment to save a life and it takes a moment to end a life,Melissa Wandall said.

We can make a dent. Red-light running is negligent. It is preventable, she said.

The Brevard County Sheriff's Office, Florida Highway Patrol, Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization and Titusville Fire Department participated in a red-light safety event Thursday in Palm Shores.(Photo: MALCOLM DENEMARK/FLORIDA TODAY)

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said red-light runners caused about 4,000 crashes last year on the Space Coast. He said these wrecks could have been avoided if motorists would have simply taken an extra pause.

We have school about to start back up. I want everybody to remember all of the safety rules. We have school buses coming back, children standing, children going in crosswalks on bicycles," Ivey said.

"Please, just take that extra pause. Make sure youre being safe, he said.

According to the National Coalition for Safer Roads, nearly 85% of motorists say it is unacceptable to drive through red lights but nearly 31% admitted to doing so within the past 30 days.

Every Brevard County resident is someones loved one. We all have a personal responsibility to do the right thing, saidGeorganna Gillette, Space Coast TPO executive director.

Rick Neale is the South Brevard Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY.Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @RickNeale1.To subscribe: https://cm.floridatoday.com/specialoffer/

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Stop on red: Palm Shores awareness event emphasizes driving safety ahead of school year - Florida Today