There was good news from the National Safety Council (NSC), which released statistics showing that fatal accidents at red light-controlled intersections decreased by 17 percent from 2005 to 2009. Also, fatal intersection accidents from running red lights decreased 27 percent during this period.
Observers attributed the decrease in these accident rates to the greater use of red light safety cameras. If motorists are aware that a violation is being recorded and will result in a substantial fine and increased insurance rates, they will hesitate before deciding to run the light.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently released a report that corroborated the opinion expressed by the executive director of the National Coalition for Safer Roads (NCSR), which was that red light cameras were behind the decrease in fatalities at intersections with red lights. The NCSR wants to expand the use of these cameras as a tool for law enforcement in continuing the downward trend.
IIHS claimed that the use of red light cameras saved about 150 lives in the 14 largest cities in the United States between 2004 and 2008. The organization projected that utilizing the cameras would have saved more than 800 lives if they had been deployed in all the 99 metropolitan areas included in the IIHS report.
Florida has been one of the worst offenders as far as intersection fatalities in recent years, ranking in the top five nationwide, according to the NSC report. Statistics showed that 12 percent of fatal auto accidents in Florida occurred at an intersection controlled by a red light.
The high incidence of intersection accidents in Florida might be due in part to its aging population, as elderly drivers have slower reaction times or might not be paying attention. Other causes could be distracted driving from cell phone use and texting.
Because many drivers attempt to run a red light by accelerating into the intersection, the consequences can be devastating. Motorists moving into the intersection on a green light are prone to T-bone accidents that can severely injure the unfortunate occupant seated by the door impacted at a high speed.
When red light safety cameras are prominently advertised, motorists have demonstrated that they will obey the law and slow down when the traffic light yellow. Implementing these devices at more intersections should continue to diminish the number of fatal and severe accidents.
