10-year high in red-light running deaths concerns safety experts

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that in 2017, the latest year for which crash data is available, there were 939 deaths stemming from red-light running crashes. This marks a 10-year high. More than two people are killed every day in the U.S. in red-light running crashes. California motorists should know that the victim is usually someone else besides the offending driver.

From 2012 to 2017, there was a 28% increase in red-light running crash fatalities. Arizona has the highest rate of such fatalities while New Hampshire has the lowest. Red-light running crash deaths make up 28% of all crash deaths at signalized intersections.

In a recent Traffic Safety Culture Index, the AAA Foundation found that even though 85% of drivers recognize that running red lights is wrong, nearly one in three admitted to doing it at least once in the previous 30 days. Moreover, two in five drivers were confident that they would not be pulled over for it. For this reason alone, safety experts are urging local governments to install more red-light cameras at risky intersections. AAA is also encouraging drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to be more alert to their surroundings and less impatient to enter the intersection. Distractions like phones and headphones should be avoided at all times.

Those who do not practice safe driving and cause an auto accident could cause serious harm to occupants of other vehicles. Victims might suffer serious injuries that require lengthy and expensive medical care and treatment. People who have been harmed in such a crash might find it advisable to have the help of an attorney when seeking compensation for their losses.