The National Safety Council reported over 40,000 traffic-related fatalities and 4.5 million injuries on U.S. roads and highways in 2017. According to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), approximately 132,000 of those injuries resulted from crashes caused by red light runners. Red light running is the leading cause of accidents in the United States, with 1 in 3 Americans knowing someone who has been injured or killed due to these incidents. Whether accidental or intentional, red light runners pose a serious threat, leading to dangerous collisions, severe injuries, and numerous fatalities.
Red Light Crash Statistics
A study conducted by the American Automobile Association (AAA) revealed that fatalities caused by red light runners have reached a 10-year high, marking a 28% increase over the past five years (since 2012). On average, two people die every day in the United States due to impatient and reckless drivers ignoring traffic signals.
The most recent data indicates that 939 people lost their lives in crashes involving red light runners in 2017. Red light running accounted for 28% of all crash fatalities at intersections equipped with traffic signals. Notably, nearly 46% of those who died were passengers or occupants of other vehicles, while over 5% were cyclists or pedestrians. Just over 35% of fatalities were the drivers themselves who ran the red light.
From 2011 to 2015, the statistics average out to:
719 people dying each year in red light running crashes.
60 people dying each month due to red light running incidents.
$390 million lost monthly in costs associated with fatalities from red light running.
The Rise in Red Light Runners
Last year, approximately 3.7 million U.S. drivers were cited for running a red light. With technological advancements, many red light runners have claimed to have “accidentally” run through these signals due to distractions.
Red light running is typically the result of distracted or aggressive driving and is entirely preventable. According to the National Coalition for Safer Roads (NCSR), incidents of red light running tend to spike during peak summer driving periods, such as Labor Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day.
