More than two people are killed every day in the United States, and dozens are injured by drivers who run red lights at intersections. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety says nearly 1,000 people were killed in 2017, a 10-year high and a 28% increase since 2012.
Georgia has seen 255 deaths due to red light running crashes since 2008 and matches the national average of 2.4 deaths for every 1 million citizens. More than half of the people killed (54%) were occupants of another vehicle, while 37% were occupants of the car that blew through a light.
Drivers ignore safety warnings over red light crashes
The AAA Foundation interviewed drivers for the group’s Traffic Safety Culture Index regarding red light running crashes and highlighted these results:
- 85% of drivers consider running through a red light very dangerous
- Nearly a third said they had blown through a red light in the last month
- 40% said it was unlikely police would stop them for running a red light
Enforcement and change in driver behavior needed
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) says cities that have installed red light cameras at intersections have seen fatalities decrease by 14%, while crashes have dropped by 21%. AAA also recommends drivers:
- Practice defensive driving: Make sure a light has turned green before entering any intersection
- Tap your brakes: Lightly hitting your brakes a couple of times before stopping warns drivers behind you that you are slowing down
- Get ready to stop: Take your foot off the gas and let it hover over the brake pedal when entering an intersection
- Exercise good judgment: Beware of “stale” green lights, those that have been green for a significant period of time as you approach an intersection and be ready for them to turn yellow
Protect yourself from unsafe drivers
Careless drivers cause hundreds of crashes each year in Georgia, many with devastating consequences for everyone involved. Even minor injuries can cause massive medical bills, lost wages and other related costs. An experienced personal injury attorney in Georgia can help you recover the compensation you deserve if you have been injured by someone else’s negligence.
