How Running Red Lights Causes Car Accidents

Running red lights is a dangerous behavior that contributes to a shocking number of car accidents in South Carolina each year. Despite being a well-known traffic violation, many drivers continue to disregard red lights, putting themselves and others at risk. Not only do people need to remember important traffic laws, they need to remember their obligation to take reasonable steps to keep others on the road safe.

If you’ve been hit by a driver who ran a red light, you could be entitled to compensation. Find out more by calling Peake & Fowler at 803-788-4370.

Red Light Violations

Red light violations happen when drivers fail to stop at red traffic signals, either by intentionally disregarding the signal or overestimating their ability to stop safely. Someone may cruise through a light as it turns red, drive through an obviously red light because they are not paying attention, or turn right on red without coming to a complete stop first and ensuring that traffic is clear. All of these are dangerous red light violations.

Mechanisms of Red Light Collisions

Collisions resulting from red light violations can take various forms, each with its own set of risks. For example, T-bone accidents often occur when someone runs a red light that already has traffic flowing in the opposite direction. The offender enters the intersection illegally and strikes another vehicle on the side, often pushing them across the lane of traffic. This is incredibly dangerous to everyone in the other vehicle, especially those seated on the side that takes the impact.

Rear-end accidents can also happen when someone attempts to run a red light. This is a common scenario: someone stops at a red light and waits for the light to change. Someone approaches from behind and strikes them because they are not looking up at the road. They hit the driver in front and cause serious damage.

Sideswipe accidents may also occur when someone rolls through a red light and takes a right turn. If they do not have the right of way or have not checked that traffic is clear, they can hit another car on the passenger side. Additionally, people who drive this way are at risk of hitting pedestrians and bicyclists.

Human Factors

As is the case with most car accidents, red light accidents are generally caused by human error. Distraction from electronic devices, passengers, or other sources, can impair a driver’s ability to recognize and respond to traffic signals. Aggressive driving behaviors, such as speeding and tailgating, increase the likelihood of running red lights.

Poor judgment and decision-making also play a role in red light violations. Drivers may underestimate the time needed to stop safely or overestimate their ability to clear an intersection before the light changes.

Reducing Red Light Accidents

Addressing the problem of red light accidents requires a multi-faceted approach that targets both infrastructure and behavior. Implementing advanced traffic signal systems, such as red light cameras and countdown timers, can improve compliance with traffic signals and deter red light violations. Enhancing intersection design with features such as longer yellow signal times and dedicated turn lanes may also reduce red light accident rates.

However, change truly needs to happen on a societal level. We can add as many red light cameras, police officers, and higher fines as we want—but nothing will change if people don’t start caring about the risks they take when they drive recklessly. A driver’s decision to run a red light does not just affect them. It has the potential to cut others’ lives short, leave hardworking individuals without a way to get to work and cause others to suffer catastrophic injuries. There must be pressure on drivers as a whole to take their responsibility seriously and recognize that their rushing does not mean others have to accommodate them.

Explore Your Legal Options with Peake & Fowler

When you’re hit by a reckless driver, it’s hard to figure out what your next steps should be. The team at Peake & Fowler is here to help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us at 803-788-4370 or reach out to our team online to set up a consultation right away.