The Dangers of Running Red Lights
The Bradenton Herald has published an article stating that a 20-year-old Bradenton man has died following the crash of his motorcycle after the young man was spotted running a red light. State troopers have asserted that he collided with a car while turning his motorcycle into the parking lot of a 7-Eleven gas station. The man was apparently traveling at such a high rate of speed that witnesses say the vehicle was actually airborne at the time of the collision. These assertions were substantiated by a Deputy who had spotted the man running the light shortly before the collision and had attempted to make a traffic stop, but had turned off his emergency lights and ended his pursuit before the motorcycle took off at a high speed due to how fast the man was driving.
How Dangerous is Running Red Lights?
Sadly, running red lights is increasingly becoming one of the top causes of accidents. Incidents like the preventable tragedy outlined above are unfortunate examples of why. The results are often absolutely devastating when one vehicle collides with another in a car accident at the high speeds typically involved with running a red light. The results of a AAA study published last year indicate that deaths from drivers running red lights actually reached a 10-year high in 2017, the most recent year for which data was available. The number of people who were killed when someone plowed through a red light reportedly reached almost 950 people that year, representing an increase of more than 31 percent in the number of fatalities since just 2009. Tragically, these statistics indicate that at least two people are killed in this country every day simply because of drivers who run red lights. And unfortunately, there is no indication that this is changing any time soon.
Why do Drivers Run Red Lights?
Traffic measures such as stop signs, blinking lights, and red lights are meant to slow drivers down and help regulate traffic. However, these measures only work as long as drivers respect them and follow the rules of the road. Drivers run red lights for a variety of reasons that include:
- Being in a hurry
- Speeding up when approaching a yellow light
- Engaging in distracted driving
As the bottom line, remember that as a driver, it is imperative that you pay attention to the road and remember that the lives of you, your passengers, and others on the road depend on the individual actions of every driver. Even if you are in a hurry, keep in mind that your time obligations are not more important than safety and there can be irreversible consequences for what may seem like a small risk.
Turn to Us For Help.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident due to the negligence or wrongdoing of another person, you may be entitled to financial compensation. You may even have legal options under Florida law if yours was the only car involved in your accident. As the experienced Jacksonville personal injury attorneys of the Pendas Law Firm, we can help simplify the process of pursuing a personal injury claim while striving to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a no-cost consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Orlando, Ocala, Tampa, Bradenton, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Fort Myers and Daytona Beach areas.
Resource:
bradenton.com/news/local/article238934443.html
https://www.pendaslaw.com/why-you-should-hire-a-personal-injury-attorney-after-your-car-accident/