Maybe you’ve noticed that some drivers seem to think red lights are more of a “suggestion” than a signal to stop their cars. Even when there’s plenty of time to stop, they may sail right through an intersection when the light is already red. Maybe you’ve even done it yourself, a time or two — especially when it’s late, and there isn’t a lot of traffic around.
Red-light running has become an epidemic problem throughout the United States. A report from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety indicates that accidents caused by a “run on red” have increased by 28% between 2012 and 2017.
Roughly two people are killed as a result of such accidents every single day. About half of those killed are passengers in the vehicle that ran the red light or people in other vehicles. Another 5% are pedestrians or bikers. The drivers who run the red lights also sometimes die.
Even though the vast majority of drivers admit that running a red light is dangerous, about a third will admit to having done so at least once in the last 30 days.
Every driver should do their part to keep the roads safe for everyone — and that means obeying all traffic signals to the best of your abilities. Unfortunately, even if you always follow the rules, you can’t guarantee that the next guy will. It’s easy to end up in a bad wreck due to a negligent driver.
If your loved one is killed in an accident with a driver who ran a red light, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses and a measure of justice for your lost family member.
