When driving, there are certain rules that are more important than others. Among these foundational principles is the simple fact that you should always obey instructions from traffic signals, such as moving when the light is green and stopping when the light is red. Simple enough, right? Well, despite the ease of this principle, running red lights is one of the most common forms of traffic violation, and is a distressingly frequent factor in accidents at intersections.
The Stats:
As recently as 2021, there were nearly 130,000 reported injuries as a direct result of irresponsible drivers running a red light. With huge numbers like that in mind, the need to find a solution becomes urgent. However, like other forms of risky driving, such as swerving or texting while driving, tackling the issue of running a red light is not as simple as it seems.
There are a number of different reasons for why drivers would run a red light. First of all, the driver may assume that their vehicle can make it through a yellow light just before it changes to a red light, only for them to illegally run the red light completely on accident.
Secondly, a driver may be distracted by some means and therefore completely miss the traffic signals ahead of them. Finally, and most distressingly of all, irresponsible drivers may just run through a red light with no regard for the safety of their fellow drivers. All of these factors combined contribute to why over half of all motor injuries happen at intersections.
The Solutions:
With these factors in mind, one solution to solving the issue of drivers running red lights and ignoring traffic signals is better enforcement. Traffic cameras at intersections are becoming more and more commonplace as the modern world progresses. Red-light cameras prevent accidents by reducing red-light running and keeping pedestrians safe.
Another solution is better education. Informing drivers of the risks involved with running red lights and ignoring traffic signals can increase safety for all.
And if you’d like to keep yourself SAFER, why not check out NTSI’s vast library of other traffic education resources? You can combat the issue of reckless driving at the root by making yourself a smarter and SAFER driver.
