Stopping at a red light is a fundamental road rule crucial for maintaining traffic order and ensuring the safety of all road users. Despite its importance, many drivers run red lights due to impatience, distractions, impairment, excessive speed, misjudging the yellow light duration, or blatant disregard for traffic laws. Whether “accidental” or intentional, running red lights is illegal and one of the leading causes of traffic collisions in the U.S.
In 2022, over 107,000 people were injured, and 1,149 lost their lives due to crashes involving running red lights. Tragically, half of those killed were not the signal violators but passengers, other motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Do Your Part to Stop Red Light Running Tragedies
Professional drivers can take steps to avoid becoming part of the red light running statistics. Here are some effective strategies:
Follow posted speed limits, adjusting your speed to traffic and road conditions. Traffic lights are timed assuming vehicles travel at or below the posted speed limit. Obeying speed limits gives you time and space to stop on red before entering the intersection.
Maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle in front of you. Doing so helps you see the traffic signal ahead and avoid hard braking situations and potential rear-end collisions.
Anticipate signal changes. Be mindful of the traffic signal's timing as you approach an intersection. If the light has been green for some time—“stale green”—it is likely to change soon. Ease off the accelerator and cover the brake pedal to be ready to stop, if necessary. Also, look for flashing “Don’t Walk” signs indicating a green light is preparing to turn red. The earlier you anticipate the need to stop, the better control you will have over the vehicle.
Know yellow light laws and when to stop. Yellow light laws are designed to enhance road safety by giving drivers ample time to safely navigate intersections, but regulations vary by state. While the general principle that a yellow light warns drivers that the signal is about to turn red is consistent, specific rules about how drivers should respond can differ. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the specific laws in the states in which you travel. Importantly, DO NOT speed up to “beat the light.”
Remember that right on red is restricted in some areas. When permitted, you must first come to a complete stop to check for traffic, pedestrians and cyclists before turning.
Stay alert and eliminate distractions. A traffic light can change from green to yellow to red within seconds. Full attention to driving helps avoid missing a red light entirely.
Get sufficient sleep. Seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep per night improves focus and reaction times, crucial for responding promptly to changing traffic signals.
Protect Yourself from Red Light Runners
Even if you obey traffic signs and signals, you may still encounter drivers who run red lights. Here are some tips to help protect yourself:
Remain vigilant. Always approach intersections with caution, even when you have the green light. Scan in all directions to spot hazards early.
Cover the brake. When passing through intersections, hover your right foot above the brake pedal to minimize your reaction time should you encounter a hazard.
Wait before entering. If stopped at a red light and first at the intersection, wait a second or two before moving when the traffic signal turns green. This brief pause allows you to scan the intersection for any red-light runners coming through the cross street and into your path.
Anticipate the actions of other drivers. When stopped at a red light behind another vehicle, wait to proceed until the vehicle ahead has moved a few feet. The driver may be forced to stop suddenly for a red-light runner.
Running red lights is a dangerous and preventable behavior that significantly contributes to traffic accidents and fatalities. By following these strategies, you can help avoid red light collisions and make roads safer for everyone.
