Red Light Runners Kill

Traffic crashes are the single most significant cause of preventable death and injury in North America. In 2007 in the U.S., almost 900 people were killed and an estimated 153,000 were injured in crashes that involved red light running. Public costs exceed $14 billion per year, and more than half of the deaths in red light running crashes are other motorists and pedestrians. There is no doubt that red light runners are dangerous drivers who irresponsibly put others at risk. In America’s cities ― where too often the yellow light has come to symbolize “hurry up” instead of “slow down”, red light running is the leading cause of all urban automobile crashes.

The American public recognizes the problem, is deeply concerned about red light running and supports the use of red light cameras. A 2002 nationwide survey sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and conducted by the Gallup Organization found that 75 percent of drivers favored the use of red light cameras. Most Americans (96 percent) are afraid of being hit by a red light runner, but nearly one in five admit to running a red light in the last ten intersections. The leading excuse given for red light running was neither frustration nor road rage; it was “being in a hurry.”

If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Tennessee automobile intersection accident caused by a red light runner you owe it to yourself to contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident lawyers at Phillip Miller & Associates and take advantage of a free consultation to learn about your rights and remedies.

Camera Enforcement At Intersections Paying Off

It appears that the initial controversy in some Tennessee cities and towns about the use of red light cameras (RLC) has gone by the wayside as statistics from local traffic and police departments are beginning to show that RLCs are reducing intersection traffic accidents, which means lives and property damages. Intersection collisions take lives and cause property damage losses in the billions of dollars. Preventing injuries and deaths at intersections must be high on the priority list for municipalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 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 in 2005.

Witness some interesting information from the Arizona Department of Public Safety. In February 2009 Arizona initiated a statewide program of RLC enforcement and have released the results of that program on October 28, 2009.

According to a press release from the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), statewide photo enforcement has resulted in fewer collisions and given officers the opportunity to arrest more impaired drivers per an evaluation of data from the first nine months of the program.

Statewide Statistics

• 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

You’ve got to admit that these are impressive statistics. Freeing officers from issuing tickets frees them to enforce other potentially more dangerous crimes and further protect the public.

If you or a loved one are involved in a Nashville intersection automobile collision contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates where you can get a free consultation so that you can make the best decisions for you and your family.