The Red Light Running Problem

In 2002, as many as 207,000 crashes, 178,000 injuries and 921 fatalities in the U.S. were attributed to red light running. Between 1992 and 2000, fatal motor crashes at traffic signals increased 19 percent, outpacing the rise in all other fatal crashes. Public costs exceed $14 billion per year. More than half of the deaths in red light running crashes are other motorists and pedestrians, so there is no debate that red light runners are dangerous drivers who irresponsibly put others at risk.

The problem in America's cities is even greater, as red light running is the leading cause of urban automobile crashes. In many cities, the yellow light has come to symbolize "hurry up" instead of "slow down."

As a result of countless crashes and tragedies, the American public is deeply concerned with the recent increase in red light running. Most Americans (96 percent) are afraid of being hit by a red light runner, but nearly one in five admit to running a red light in the last ten intersections. The leading excuse given for red light running was neither frustration nor road rage, it was "being in a hurry."

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety looked at what cities and states have the highest death rates in red light running crashes per 100,000 people.

For a list of cities with the highest death rates in red light running crashes, click here.

For a list of those states with the highest death rates in red light running crashes, click here.