According to the National Coalition for Safer Roads (NCSR), Georgia is 6th on the list of “Top Ten Most Dangerous States For Red-Light Running,” based on data showing 32 fatalities in the state linked to drivers running red lights in 2019.

Nobody likes to see the traffic light changing to red as they approach an intersection. But responsible drivers come to a stop and wait for the light to turn green. Irresponsible drivers don’t feel they should have to wait and step on the gas to get through the intersection. The result is often a car accident that leaves people injured or killed.

August campaign promotes safe driving

That’s why the Georgia Department of Transportation has recognized the national “Stop On Red” campaign during the first week of August to bring attention to the dangers of running red lights.

The campaign was started in 1995 by the Federal Highway Administration and continues to be promoted by the National Coalition for Safer Roads. The organization lists 10 reasons to stop on red, based on federal statistics. Those reasons include:

• In 2019, 846 people died and 143,000 were injured due to red-light running.
• One-third of Americans know someone who has been injured or killed in a red-light running crash.
• Between 2008 and 2019, an estimated 9,227 people were killed in crashes involving red-light running.
• On average, two people died each day in red-light running related crashes in the U.S. in 2019.
• Over half of the deaths in red-light running crashes are pedestrians, bicyclists, and occupants in vehicles other than the vehicle running the red light.

The organization is calling for the use of innovative technologies such as red-light cameras at dangerous intersections to help address the problem.

“Red-light cameras save lives. They are designed to change bad driving behavior and help reduce the collisions caused by red-light runners,” said Melissa Wandall, NCSR President. “We need every safety tool and everyone to work together in order to cut down the insatiable heartache on our roadways.”

Running red lights leads to people getting hurt

NCSR cites a 2019 AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety national telephone survey in which 86% of drivers said speeding through a red light is “very or extremely dangerous.” But there are still drivers who do it.

Negligent drivers who speed through red lights put everyone at risk. An accident can leave others with serious injuries that can be fatal. Those that survive face months or years of medical treatment, and expenses can become overwhelming. Victims often experience financial stress, and they aren’t sure how they are going to pay their bills.

Recovering financial compensation is a complicated process for many reasons. Negligent drivers often deny running a red light and may even try to blame the victim for causing the accident. Insurance companies look for any reason to pay out as little as possible.

That’s why it’s important to have an experienced car accident attorney who knows how to investigate crashes, build strong cases and fight back against insurance company tactics. The Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates, P.C. has been fighting for the injured in Georgia since 1993. We know how to get results.

If you were injured in an accident in Duluth or Atlanta, get legal advice as soon as possible. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.