The Problem With Running Red Lights

Most of us strive to be safe drivers who abide by driving laws in an attempt to keep ourselves and the other drivers on the road with us safe. One of the most basic rules of driving is that a red light means you should not proceed. And as this is such a fundamental rule of driving, you are generally entitled to assume that you can safely proceed when your light turns green as the drivers who have the red light should be stopped at the stop line. But unfortunately, other drivers sometimes ignore this basic driving rule and tragic consequences can occur as a result.

Local 10 News recently reported that surveillance video has been recovered demonstrating that a major crash that happened back in October was the result of a driver running a red light. The footage reportedly shows that a white Tesla ran a red light in Miami Beach and then crashed into an Infiniti SUV, seriously injuring three people inside the SUV. Authorities reported that the impact of the crash was so severe that the SUV was nearly cut in half by the Tesla.

How Severe of a Problem Can Red Running Be?

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 811 people were killed in crashes that involved red light running in 2016. Further, an Institute study of urban crashes found that those involving drivers who ran red lights, stop signs and other traffic controls were the most common type of crash and accounted for 22 percent of all accidents.

Sadly, a driver’s decision to run a red light often has dire consequences for others. Half of the 811 people killed in 2016 were reportedly pedestrians, bicyclists and people in other vehicles who were hit by the red light runners.

How Often Do Drivers Run Red Lights?

It happens more often than you probably think. In results contained in AAA’s 2017 Traffic Safety Culture Index, which is based on self-reporting, 42.7 percent of drivers admitted that during the past 30 days, they had driven through a stoplight that had just turned red when they could have stopped safely.

Why Do Drivers Run Red Lights?

Drivers run red lights for many reasons such as:

• Being in a hurry to reach a destination
• Speeding up at a yellow light that changes faster than anticipated
• Not paying attention to the traffic lights due to distracted driving
• Driving after consuming alcohol and having poor reactions to changing conditions

Have You or a Loved One Been Injured as the Result of Another Driver Running a Red Light?

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a car accident as the result of another Florida driver negligently running a red light, we can help. You have every right to seek compensation under Florida law and even damages to punish the offender for his or her reckless behavior. Contact the experienced Miami personal injury attorneys of The Pendas Law Firm today and we will help you recover the compensation you are entitled to.

The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Tampa, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Daytona, Jacksonville, and Bradenton areas.

Resources:

aaafoundation.org/2017-traffic-safety-culture-index/

iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/red-light-running/qanda

local10.com/news/florida/miami-beach/surveillance-video-shows-tesla-running-red-light-before-major-crash?__vfz=rtw_top_pages%3D1784400005913

https://www.pendaslaw.com/talking-with-your-teen-about-driving-risks/