Red Light Running Deaths

STOP ON RED WEEK

Between 2008 and 2019, an estimated 9,227 people were killed in crashes related to red-light running according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that motorists in urban areas are more likely to be injured in crashes involving red-light running than in any other type of crash. In 2019, 846 people were killed, and an estimated 143,000 were injured in crashes that involved red-light running. About half of those killed in red-light crashes are pedestrians, cyclists and people other than the violator.

Red light cameras train drivers to always stop on red at both camera equipped sites with carry-over to nearby intersections.

Studies on Effectiveness of Cameras

(Source: IIHS)

Red light cameras have been shown to reduce both red light violations and crashes.

A series of IIHS studies in different communities found that red light violations are reduced significantly with cameras. Institute studies in Oxnard, California, and Fairfax, Virginia, reported reductions in red light violation rates of about 40 percent after the introduction of red light cameras (Retting et al., 1999; Retting et al., 1999). In addition to the decrease in red light running at camera-equipped sites, the effect carried over to nearby signalized intersections not equipped with red light cameras.

A more recent IIHS study in Arlington, Va., also found significant reductions in red light violations at camera intersections one year after ticketing began (McCartt & Hu, 2014). These reductions were greater the more time had passed since the light turned red, when violations are more likely to result in crashes.

Violations occurring at least a half second after the light turned red were 39 percent less likely than would have been expected without cameras. Violations occurring at least 1 second after were 48 percent less likely, and the odds of a violation occurring at least 1.5 seconds into the red phase fell 86 percent.

When it comes to crash reductions, an IIHS study comparing large cities with red light cameras to those without found the devices reduced the fatal red light running crash rate by 21 percent and the rate of all types of fatal crashes at signalized intersections by 14 percent (Hu & Cicchino, 2017).

Previous research in Oxnard, California, found significant citywide crash reductions followed the introduction of red light cameras, and injury crashes at intersections with traffic signals were reduced by 29 percent (Retting & Kyrychenko, 2002). Front-into-side collisions — the crash type most closely associated with red light running — at these intersections declined by 32 percent overall, and front-into-side crashes involving injuries fell 68 percent.

To consult with one of our traffic safety professionals on placing red light cameras in your community to prevent red light running, Contact us:

888-666-4218, Ext. 6 for East Coast and Ext. 7 for West Coast.

We can also be reached at [email protected]

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