STOP RUNNING RED LIGHTS
My Day
By Dr. J. Ester Davis
Esterdavis2000@gmail.com
How often do you see someone running a red light? Once a week? Everyday? Twice a month? What is your reaction? What is their hurry?
“Red light running” is beyond ridiculous. I see it every day. A couple week ago, I took an ad hoc poll and the agreement was unanimous. ‘ I see it every day’ was the immediate answer from citizens I polled. There are several groups around the nation taking notes, statistics and a National Stop-On-Red Week is celebrating their 3rd birthday. Several other opinion-sense writers and researchers have compared “red light running” to drunk driving. ‘Red light running’ is not as deadly yet, but it is also a new category with unkept secrets.
“Red light running” is an aggressive driving behavior which puts motorists, passengers on the road at an increased risk of a crash every time it occurs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that “red light running” attributed to over 12,000 deaths in 2018. AAA has placed a disturbing number to this recklessness. An unbelievable 31% increase in deaths and tens of thousands of injuries. Nationwide 4.2 million drivers failed to stop on red in 2021. In addition, AAA Foundation now reports that we are experiencing a ten(10)year high in this most dangerous America trend. Some law partners have added a new department to their legal group, to-wit: Red Light Deaths. And some cities are documenting same with drones at highly trafficked intersections.
How soon we forget. In the State of Texas, the Governor in 2019 banned red light cameras due to
the outcry from drivers and municipalities that the cameras were faulty, not working properly and the fines too expensive. The system did not work and personally, I think, was installed prematurely. Around the United States, some red light cameras were redesigned, improved and witnessing a major decrease in accidents. Many American cities are in various stages of implementation, rewind, set-to-go. So, if you are a “red light runner” be mindful that some cities near you do send you a ticket for ‘running a red light’.
Here are a few theories and advice for drivers. One piece of advice is stop at stop signs, too.
Always anticipate a red light runner. . .count three(3)seconds before you proceed into an intersection.
You should know that when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests a vehicle, it sends them at 40 miles per hour (64 kilometers) into a barrier. Red light runners are traveling between 40 and 60 mph.
Here is the ultimate question. Why can’t we just stop. It’s only a red light or a stop sign for goodness sakes. Just stop! Stop running red lights. It’s hurts all of us.
