There are certain expectations when driving in Georgia and across the nation. A basic aspect of learning to drive is that a red light means stop. Still, one of the most common causes for injuries and fatalities in motor vehicle accidents is if a driver runs a red light. While other dangerous behaviors behind the wheel are discussed and addressed by legislators and law enforcement, researchers are examining the prevalence of drivers running red lights. A new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows that fatalities because of red light violations are at their highest rate in a decade.
According to the research, there are two deaths because of vehicles running a red light every day. The statistics are from the years 2008 to 2017. In 2017, there were 939 deaths due to red light violations. That is 31% more than in 2009 when there were 715 fatalities. More that 50% were passengers or those in other vehicles. An estimated 35% of the deaths were the driver who ran the light. For bicyclists and pedestrians, it is 5%.
There is no obvious reason for this statistical rise. However, AAA believes that distracted driving is a major issue. The failure to pay attention to the road includes not adhering to signals and signs. If a driver is looking at a device rather than the road, seeing a red light is far less likely. With a survey related to the failure to stop at red lights, researchers found that one-third of respondents stated they ran a red light in the previous month. This while most who took part said they believed failing to stop at red lights was a major safety issue.
People driving greater distances is also viewed as a contributing factor. With an improved economy, more people are driving. One recommendation is more red light cameras where there are a significant number of auto accidents. Despite the best efforts to reduce motor vehicle accidents, there will always be behaviors and occurrences that serve as the catalyst to a collision. If it was due to a driver running a red light, there can be injuries and death. People who were injured or lost a loved one in an accident at a red light should contact a law firm experienced in motor vehicle accidents to take the next step in pursuing compensation.
