Hitting The Brakes For 'National Stop On Red Week'

Clark, NJ August 4, 2015 – Everybody is in a rush to get somewhere. Whether it’s to work, school or home after a long day at the office, the last thing anyone wants to do is spend any more time than they have to stuck in traffic.
But unfortunately, far too many people take this to the extreme, blowing through intersections just as they turn red, disregarding traffic rules entirely just to spare themselves a few extra seconds.

Tragically, it’s these same traffic violations that have cost some people their lives.

This week is National Stop on Red Week, sponsored by the National Coalition for Safer Roads and running from August 2-8, the campaign aims to inform Americans about the importance of following all traffic rules, and the consequences that can come when trying to beat a light that’s turning from yellow to red.

Red-light running common in summer
If it seems like you’ve seen more people running red lights, you probably have. Just last year, more than 3.7 million drivers ran through a red light. The vast majority of these incidents were fortunate enough not to cause an injury, but that’s not always the case, especially in the summertime when red light violations peak.

In 2014, approximately 37,800 drivers were cited for red light violations, according to NCSR’s collection of traffic incident data. On July 4 of that year, more than 34,500 tickets were meted out and 35,100 on the following Labor Day in September.

Melissa Wandall, NCSR president, indicated that summertime is prime time for red light running.

“This data proves that driving over the summer holidays, when millions of people are on the road, can be very dangerous,” Wandall explained. “By sharing these numbers with the public, we aim to influence safe driving and reduce the number of traffic collisions that occur during peak periods of travel.”

Most incidents are in P.M. hours
Not only are red light violations more frequent in the summer, but they also tend to peak during certain period of the day. Perhaps due to motorists wanting to get home quickly, the highest number of red-light violations usually occurs in the mid-to-late afternoon hours, roughly between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. according to NCSR’s estimates.

Aside from the fact that running a red light is against the law, it’s an unnecessary contributor to highway fatalities. Based on the latest data available, nearly 7,800 people died in 2013 in accidents caused by someone who’d gone through a red light, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In an attempt to prevent this from becoming a trend, several states have installed speed and red light cameras at busy intersections. Thus far, 21 states, as well as the District of Columbia, have enacted laws that allow for red light camera use, according to the Governors Highway Safety Administration. States and localities include Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri and New York.

Concerned drivers are encouraged to take the pledge, promising not to endanger themselves, or the lives of others, by vowing to always stop on red. Visit NCSR’s website for additional details.

Running is never worth it, as the repercussions are unsafe and can affect your auto insurance premiums. For more information, speak with visit The Insurance Center’s website. Or contact Zita Santos-Martinez for a Quote at 732-832-4132

Photo and article from Selective Insurance Group Inc.