Obey The Red Light

An intersection is a planned point of conflict in the roadway system. With different crossing and entering movements by both drivers and pedestrians, an intersection is one of the most complex traffic situations that motorists encounter. Dangers are compounded when we add the element of speeding motorists who disregard traffic controls.

Question: How serious is the red light running problem?

Answer:  Red light running (RLR) is a serious traffic safety problem. According to the Safety Evaluation of Red-Light Cameras (FHWA-HRT-05-048, April 2005), RLR is estimated to produce more than 100,000 crashes and approximately 1,000 deaths per year in the United States.

Question:  Why do people run red lights?

Answer: 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.

Question: What is the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) position on the use of photo enforcement cameras?

Answer: FHWA and NHTSA support a comprehensive approach to intersection safety that incorporates engineering, education, and enforcement countermeasures to prevent RLR and improve intersection safety. Red light camera (RLC) systems can be a very effective countermeasure to prevent red light running (Red Light Camera Systems Operational Guidelines, FHWA-SA-05-002, January 2005).

Question: Do studies show that there are safety benefits from installation of these cameras systems? Do rear-end collisions increase when RLCs are installed – in which case, aren’t we just trading one type of crash for another?

Answer: Analysis of data in the most comprehensive study to date (Safety Evaluation of Red-Light Cameras (FHWA-HRT-05-048, April 2005)) from seven jurisdictions (Baltimore; Charlotte; El Cajon, CA; Howard County, MD; Montgomery County, MD; San Diego; San Francisco) at 132 intersections using RLCs found:

25% decrease of total right-angle crashes

16% decrease of injury right-angle crashes

15% increase of total rear-end crashes

24% increase of injury rear-end crashes

The increase in rear-end collisions is problematical, but is the direct result of drivers following too close and being willing to take a chance at running the red light. Reserachers believe that once the driving population of a city using the RLC system gets used to the reality that the car in front of them is going to be less likely to ignore the traffic signal that they will be more cautious and respond more quickly to the signal.

If you or a loved one is injured in a Nashville automobile collision at an intersection by a red light runner contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident lawyers at Phillip Miller & Associates and find out about your rights and remedies.