Red Light Runners Kill

As an experienced Tennessee Automobile accident lawyer I am daily witness to the heroic work that our law enforcement officers and our first responders carry out on a daily basis. In all sorts of weather and at all hours of the day or night, the men and women of Tennessee law enforcement put it all on the line.

It saddens me to report that Springhill Police Corporal Jeremy McLaren died yesterday of injuries he received when a Shelbyville man ran a red light and T-boned Office McLaren’s police car. At first report it looked like Corporal McLaren was going to recover. Media reports had him out of surgery and getting around and there is no news on what caused his downfall. My prayers go out to his Wife and Parents and the community of Springhill for the loss of a husband, son and public servant.

Each year crashes involving red light running claim the lives of more than 800 people and injure another 200,000 people. More than half of the deaths in red light running crashes are other motorists and pedestrians, so there should be no debate about the fact that red light runners are dangerous drivers who put other road users at risk.

If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Tennessee automobile accident contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorney’s at Phillip Miller & Associates and take advantage of a free consultation to find out about your rights and remedies

As an experienced Tennessee automobile accident attorney I can’t tell you how many accidents I’ve handled because someone chose to run a red light. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association red light running crashes are responsible for approximately 260,000 injuries and 750 fatalities annually. It is difficult to get a clear picture of the problem, because red light running may not be identified or categorized as such on crash report forms. While education and engineering solutions are certainly important in combating red light running, automated enforcement has been receiving greater attention as an effective tool.

Several programs and resources exist to address the problem of red light running. GHSA encourages its members to support these efforts: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has a Stop Red Light Running program that provides traffic safety information and guidelines to address red light running. In 2005, the FHWA issued Red Light Camera Systems Operational Guidelines. Not regulatory requirements, these guidelines are intended to foster discussions and initiatives that will improve intersection safety. The use of speed and red light cameras to detect vehicles committing traffic violations is referred to collectively as automated enforcement. Automated enforcement works by using a camera to capture on image of a vehicle committing a violation. Additional data collected often includes the date, time and place, speed or other pertinent details. If a violation is evident, a citation is mailed to the vehicle owner.

My experience as a Tennessee car accident attorney tells me that getting drivers to change bad driving behavior requires consistent enforcement, which automated camera systems provide. Critics of automated enforcement argue that it exists is to make money for law enforcement agencies. However, the objective of automated enforcement is to deter violators, not to catch them. Signs and publicity campaigns typically warn drivers that photo enforcement is in use. Revenue is generated from fines paid, but this is a fundamental component of all traffic enforcement programs.

If you or a loved one is hurt in an accident caused by someone running a red light contact our experienced Tennessee accident attorneys

Red Light Runners Kill

and find out about your rights and remedies.