A common cause of vehicle crashes is reckless driving. When a driver makes a decision to ignore traffic laws and regulations, they put all commuters at risk. One of the most dangerous – and frequent – of these violations is the failure to stop for red lights. This is why the National Coalition for Safer Roads (NCSR) has designated this week (August 5 through August 11, 2019) as national Stop on Red Week.
Both federal and local agencies across the country are working with NCSR in sponsoring Stop on Red Week. The goal of the campaign is to educate people about the dangers of running red lights and what the most common reasons are for it happening. And although many drivers think it’s the “other guy” who is the one causing increased risks of crashes and not themselves. But the truth is that even drivers who think of themselves as good, law-abiding citizens who are safe drivers are often guilty of behaviors that put others at risk.
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According to statistics from the NCSR, approximately half of drivers on the road step on the gas and speed up when they approach a yellow traffic light in order to beat the light before it turns red. This is just as dangerous as running a red light. And check the North Carolina and other state DMV driver handbooks and you will see that when a driver approaches a yellow light, they are supposed to slow down and stop, not speed up and go.
Other red-light running facts include:
- Approximately 20 percent of all vehicle accidents involve running red lights or other traffic signal violations.
- Car accidents caused by a driver running a red light are the most common type of crash in urban areas.
- The force of the impact from a vehicle running a red light is usually greater because of the increased speed the driver is traveling.
- Pedestrians and Cyclists are at particular risks of being injured by a driver running a red light at intersections and crosswalks.
Accidents caused by running red lights are the common causes of dangerous side-impact and T-bone crashes and is one of the top causes of fatal and catastrophic injuries. In order to avoid becoming a red-light running accident statistics, drivers should keep the following in mind:
- Watch other drivers at intersections, even if you have the green light. Another driver may not be aware they have the red light or may choose to ignore it.
- If you approach a yellow light, slow to a stop. Don’t speed up to try to beat the change to red.
- No matter how much of a hurry you are in, wait for the light to change from red to green, even if you are the only vehicle at the intersection.
- Make sure to give pedestrians enough time to cross.
Contact Our Carolinas Injury Attorneys
The legal team at Shapiro & Appleton know how to hold the at-fault driver accountable when their reckless driving leaves a victim with serious injuries. To schedule a free consultation with one of our North Carolina car accident attorneys, call our office today and find out how we can get you the compensation you deserve.
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