Prevalence and characteristics of red light running crashes in the United States

About 40% of motor vehicle crashes occur at intersections. In recent years, the number of crashes at traffic signals has increased considerably. A maj or cause of such crashes is drivers disregarding traffic signals. Despite c oncerns about the frequent occurrence of red light violations and the signi ficant crash consequences, relatively little is known about the overall pre valence and characteristics of red light running crashes. The present study examines the prevalence of red light running crashes on a national basis a nd identifies the characteristics of such crashes and the drivers involved. Cities with especially high rates of fatal red light running crashes are i dentified. Countermeasures to reduce red light running crashes based on col lision patterns and characteristics of drivers involved are discussed. It w as estimated that about 260 000 red light running crashes occur annually in the United States, of which approximately 750 result in fatalities. Compar isons were-made between red light running drivers and drivers deemed not to have run red lights in these same crashes. As a group, red light runners w ere more likely than other drivers to be younger than age 30, male, have pr ior moving violations and convictions for driving while intoxicated, have i nvalid driver's licenses, and have consumed alcohol prior to the crash. Com parisons also were made between characteristics of red light runners involv ed in daytime and nighttime crashes. Nighttime red light runners were more likely than daytime runners to be young, male, and have more deviant charac teristics, 53% having high blood alcohol concentrations. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.