All drivers should know just how dangerous it is to run a red light. Indeed, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, almost 1,000 Americans died in red-light collisions in 2020 alone. Sadly, more than 116,000 others suffered injuries in these accidents.
If you think red-light running is becoming more common, you are not wrong. In fact, according to reporting from NPR, one-third of surveyed drivers admitted to running at least one red light during the previous month.
Distracted driving
Passenger cars, trucks and SUVs weigh thousands of pounds, making them potentially deadly. Nevertheless, an alarming number of drivers simply do not pay enough attention when behind the wheel. Put simply, distracted drivers may not notice when traffic lights change from yellow to red.
Rushed drivers
People seem to be busier than ever nowadays. Still, rushing to get from Point A to Point B can have deadly consequences. If drivers speed up to make their way through yellow lights, they may have a high-speed collision with other drivers or, even worse, pedestrians.
Entitled drivers
At one time or another, virtually all drivers have sat in turning lanes through more than one green light. In an attempt to make their turns, entitled drivers may pull into intersections after traffic lights have turned red. This makes them hazardous to drivers who have the right of way.
Regardless of the reason, red-light runners put everyone at grave risk. Luckily, if you suffer a serious injury in a red-light accident, you may have legal grounds to pursue substantial financial compensation.
