AAA: red-light running crash deaths have hit 10-year high

Red-light running crashes accounted for 939 of the more than 40,000 traffic deaths in 2017. According to a AAA report, this is the highest that the number has been in 10 years. It also represents a 28% increase from the relatively low number of red-light running crash deaths in 2012. Arizona residents should know what are the factors in this.

The most important one is that most drivers know how running a red light is wrong yet do it anyway. In a AAA survey, 85% of drivers agreed that red-light running is dangerous, yet one in three admitted to doing it in the previous 30 days. In addition, two in five said they were confident that the police would never catch them.

The lack of deterrents may be contributing to the rise in crashes. This is where experts say that red-light cameras can be of benefit. These devices can reduce red-light violations by 40%, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, because they take pictures of offenders and allow the police to send them a ticket.

Despite the 10-year high, the number of traffic deaths overall has gone down. The National Safety Council reported a 1% decrease from 2017 to 2018 as well as a decline in the number of drivers who use their phones.

Still, numerous other acts of negligence like speeding and distracted driving are leading to thousands of crashes. Those who were injured by another’s negligence and who intend to pursue a personal injury claim may want a lawyer to evaluate the situation. With legal representation, they may strive for a fair settlement at the negotiation table.

This trend is still increasing even in 2020 as can be seen in our most recent article about Arizona Red Light Crashes.