Hoosiers hit hard by red light running
Comet staff report

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) reported 13 Hoosier motorists were killed and nearly 2,000 were injured last year in red light running crashes. In an effort to prevent these dangerous crashes, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels has declared this week, Aug. 5-11, to be Indiana Stop on Red Week.

"Red light running crashes are a serious problem, and the tragedy here is most of these crashes are completely preventable," INDOT Commissioner Karl B. Browning said.

Stop on Red Week is a national campaign to educate drivers about the serious consequences of red light running. Nationally, more than 1,000 people are killed each year in red light running crashes. In Indiana, there were 2,772 red light running crashes in 2006. In those crashes, 1,835 people were injured and 13 people were killed. Red light running is also an expensive problem, costing the United States an estimated $14 billion each year.

Motorists are more likely to be injured in a red light running crash than in any other type of crash. Occupant injuries occurred in 45 percent of red light running crashes, compared to 30 percent in other crash types. Red light running crashes are often more serious because they occur at higher speeds and are typically side-impact or head-on collisions.

Red light running is most often a result of aggressive driving. Drivers who run a red light say they do so because they are in a hurry.

"Red light running is often the result of aggressive or impatient driving," Browning explained. "Drivers who run red lights don't understand their dangerous decision can change, or even end, a life."

Sadly, the average amount of time saved by running a red light is just 47 seconds.

Some red light running crashes are unintentional. For example, a motorist's vision to the signal may be blocked by a larger vehicle ahead of them. Even in these cases, red light running could likely be prevented by driving patiently and carefully, and allowing more room behind large vehicles.

Drivers are encouraged to review these traffic signal safety tips during Indiana Stop on Red Week:

• Be patient. Brake for yellow lights. On average, running a red light will save you less than a minute;

• Leave on time. If you're not rushing to get to your destination, you'll be less likely to run a red light;

• Enter intersections cautiously. Wait for the intersection to clear and look both directions before entering an intersection - even if the light is green.

• Look closely. Make sure you look at the color of the light before you enter the intersection - don't just go because the car ahead of you is going; and

• Take responsibility. When you're driving, you're not just responsible for your own life - the lives of your passengers and other motorists depend on your good decisions.