The Mesa Police Department will make some traffic stops pay off for drivers pulled over for burned out lights.

The department is the first police agency in Arizona to team up with Lights On! to improve safety and help drivers pay a bill.

The Lights ON! voucher program will offer drivers an opportunity to get broken lights on their vehicles fixed at no cost, without getting a ticket.

Officers can issue vouchers instead of a ticket for burned-out headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals. Drivers can take the voucher to a participating auto shop to have the light replaced, according to a release.

The vouchers can be redeemed at participating locations for up to $250. If the repairs total more than $250, the remaining amount is the responsibility of the driver, the release stated.

Funding for the program is being spearheaded by the Mesa Chamber of Commerce.

“I’m proud to say that Mesa chamber members Coulter Infiniti, Friendly Auto, H&I Automotive, Meineke Car Care and Thompson’s Auto Repair & Towing have all agreed to accept vouchers from the Lights On! program,” Sally Harrison, president/CEO of the chamber, said.

“EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure, MD Helicopters and Mitsubishi Chemical have also come on board along with the Mesa chamber to fund the program.  After hearing about the program from Mesa PD, our members stepped right up to be a part of giving back to our community.”

Sherman Harrison of Lights ON! said “the shift to vouchers has the power to transform police interaction from and anxiety-inducing encounter to a positive connection.”

We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.