Farragut, Tennessee Takes On Red Light Runners
Intersection Crashes
Knoxville TV station WBIR reports that in the first 45 days in operation the Red Light Cameras at three high accident intersections (RLCs) at recorded over 4000 violations. After review, officials rejected 400 and another 500 were dismissed because of technical reasons. This leaves 3019 red light running drivers facing $50.00 fines.
Intersection and intersection-related crashes consistently make up a high proportion of total fatal crashes, up to 23 percent. More than 50 percent of the combined fatal and injury crashes occur at intersections. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that in 2005 alone, nearly 9,200 people died and approximately one million people were injured in intersection-related crashes which account for approximately 40-45 percent of all crashes. According to 2005 data from the NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, crashes caused by red light running (RLR) resulted in an estimated 805 fatalities.
RLR is a dangerous form of aggressive driving. Based on self-reported behavioral surveys, RLR is a result of people wanting to save time. However, several factors can lead to RLR such as impatient and inattentive drivers, improperly timed traffic signals, lack of enforcement efforts and the attitude that no harm will come from running a red light.
Many citizens complain the RLCs are simply a new way of raising money for the city. The facts show that this claim is baseless and comes mostly from those who do not want to take responsibility for their dangerous actions and the politicians who pander to them. Economic analysis showed that RLCs saved society $39,000 to $50,000 annually at each intersection where they are installed. (The costs considered include: hospital bills, property damage to vehicles, insurance expenses, value of lost quality of life, and other costs.)
In a statewide study conducted in Arizona the following statistics show the benefits of RLCs to the overall community:
• 17.6% (2,940) fewer property damage collisions
• 18.5% (1,189) fewer injury collisions
• 19.2% (43) fewer fatal collisions (24 fewer lives lost)
Statewide DPS Officer Statistics
• Spent 9,224 less hours investigating 4,891 fewer collisions
• Conducted 52,791 more traffic stops
• Made 610 more total arrests
• Arrested 52 more impaired drivers
• Arrested 324 more drug offenders
If you or a loved one is junjured or killed in a Nashville intersection collision contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.
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