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 “Everyone knows that a red traffic light means for vehicles to stop. Even so, some drivers do not stop, and the results can be disastrous,” said Fort Myers Car Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey. 

As an example, an accident was reported by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) in April, 2017.  A 23-year-old woman was driving her Ford Focus in Orlando when she ran a red light at an intersection. An 84-year-old driver struck the woman’s vehicle. Although both drivers suffered minor injuries, the 23-year-old’s passenger was killed in the crash. 

The U.S. Department of Transportation says that the following drivers are most likely to run red lights: 

• Younger drivers between the ages of 18 to 25 are more likely to run red lights compared to other age groups.
• Red light runners are more likely than non-runners to be male.
• Drivers have a higher probability of running red lights when driving alone compared to when passengers are in their vehicles.
• Red light runners are less likely to wear safety belts.
• Drivers with poor driving records and driving smaller and older cars have a higher tendency to run red lights.
• Red light runners are more likely than non-runners to be driving with suspended or revoked driver's licenses. 

Why do drivers run red lights? 

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) says there are all kinds of reasons drivers run red lights. Some of them include: 

• Driver inattentiveness;
• Driver was distracted when approaching the light, and does not see the light change;
• Driver tries to “beat” the light; and/or
• Driver tries to get somewhere faster and unsafely goes through the light as it is changing. 

What countermeasures are being implemented to reduce red light running? 

There are some measures that are being taken to counter the incidence of red light running. These, according to IIHS, include: 

Replace signals with roundabouts. Signalized intersections can be replaced altogether by roundabouts, which have dramatically fewer injury crashes. 

Red light camera enforcement. An IIHS study conducted in Philadelphia evaluated effects on red light running of first lengthening yellow signal timing by about a second and then introducing red light cameras. While the longer yellow reduced red light violations by 36 percent, adding camera enforcement further cut red light running by another 96 percent. 

“If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a driver who ran a red light, contact the experienced attorneys at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.,” said Attorney Spivey.

Fort Myers Car Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.