Red-Light Running
The Issue
More than 207,000 crashes, 198,000 injuries and 920 deaths were attributed to red light running in 2002. Approximately 90 percent of Americans believe that running a red light is “extremely” or “very” dangerous. Two out of three Americans witness drivers running red lights every day.
The Issue in the Kansas City Region
From October 2001 to July 2002, the city of Olathe, Kansas, conducted a red light running pilot project at the intersection of 135th Street and Mur-Len Road. Automated cameras were installed to monitor the east-bound through lanes of the intersection. There were 929 violations recorded, and 55 percent of those violated the signal during the all red phase. The highest speed of a violator was recorded at 75 mph on a posted 45 mph street.
The city of Overland Park, Kansas, conducted another pilot project at the intersection of 95th Street and Quivira Road. State Farm Insurance Company identified this intersection as the 5th most dangerous intersection in the state of Kansas. From March to September 2002, 852 violations were recorded. The highest speed of a violator was recorded at 72 mph on a posted 35 mph street. This project caught numerous drivers using cell phones and changing radio stations while proceeding through the intersection on a red light.
These pilot projects illustrate the problem many urban areas have with red light running, and the Kansas City region is no exception. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety identified Kansas City as one of the top 25 cities in America with high fatal crash rates attributed to red light running.
State law does not specifically enable local law enforcement agencies to use this approach in either Missouri or Kansas, and authorizing legislation is desired by local governments in both states. The Missouri Department of Transportation is urging the state's General Assembly to pass legislation allowing for automated speed enforcement using photographic images in work zones as a way to encourage motorists to slow down. The MARC Board supports legislation that would allow local governments to issue citations for running a red light when offenders are identified by an automated camera.
What You Can Do
- The light is red for a reason. Stop!
- If a light has been green for some time, be prepared for the signal to change to yellow and then red. You must begin stopping when the signal turns yellow.
- Before proceeding through an intersection once your light is green, wait a couple of seconds before traveling through it. A red light runner may still be coming through the intersection although your signal is green. Many traffic signals are now equipped with an all red phase, but typically these are not long enough to ensure vehicles are not running red lights. Allowing a few extra seconds before continuing through the intersection could save your life.
- If you can not see intersecting traffic stopping because another car is restricting your line-of-sight, wait for the car that is blocking your sight to proceed. Ensure that vehicles are stopping and then proceed through the intersection.
- Intersection crashes are one of the most dangerous types of crashes. Running a red light increases your chances of being injured or killed in a motor vehicle crash. Remember, if you are hit by another vehicle at 75 mph on your driver’s side, there are no bumpers to help absorb the crash impact.
- Be patient. Wouldn’t you rather sit at a light for 30 more seconds than be taken to a hospital or kill someone else because of your actions? Do your part and stop at all red lights.
- Always buckle up.
