Raising Awareness About the Dangers Of Red Light Running
Drivers run red lights for a variety of reasons. It’s a common mistake when drivers are distracted or in an unfamiliar area, but it can also happen on purpose. Drivers often intentionally disregard traffic signals or speed up as a light is turning from green to red to avoid sitting in traffic. Regardless of the reason, when someone runs a red light, it puts you, your passengers, and others on the road in danger. Recently, one national group has dedicated a week to raising awareness about the danger of red light running.
Red Light Running: A Leading Cause Of Car Accidents In SC
According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS), red light running is one of the most common causes of car accidents and injuries in our state. Of the nearly 40,000 crashes and collisions that occur each year, roughly 20 percent are a result of drivers disregarding red lights and other traffic signals. Aside from being illegal, the following are some of the reasons running red lights is so dangerous:
It increases the odds of potentially deadly t-bone and side-impact collisions with other motorists.
It puts pedestrians and bicyclists at an increased risk.
It endangers children in your neighbor, particularly at red lights located near schools, parks, or recreation centers.
As drivers tend to increase their speed when running red lights, it increases the rate of impact and the extent of injuries suffered.
Injuries sustained in red light running accidents often include multiple broken bones, whiplash, crushing injuries, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
National Stop On Red Week
In light of how common red light running is, the National Coalition for Safer Roads (NCSR) has partnered with state and federal traffic agencies in designating the first full week in August of 2019 as National Stop On Red Week. They hope to raise awareness about the dangers that red light running can cause.
The NCSR reports that while most drivers acknowledge that intentionally running red lights is reckless, many continue to do so anyway. For some, it’s an act of rebellion and shows their disregard for the law or public safety. However, these tend to be the minority. You are more likely to encounter someone running a red light who justifies their behavior as a means of getting through traffic. Roughly half of all drivers admit to having driven through stoplights that have just changed from green to red, while roughly one in four admits to doing so on a regular basis.
Contact Us For Help Today
If you have been injured as a result of another driver running a red light, the Surasky Law Firm, LLC. is here to help you hold them accountable. Get the compensation you need to recover. Contact our Aiken car accident attorney to schedule a consultation today.
