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Red light running is on the rise

On Behalf of | Jan 29, 2025 | Traffic tickets

In recent years, studies have found that more drivers are running red lights, based on how many tickets are being issued. Additionally, ignoring red lights is one of the top causes of car accidents.

Some municipalities have started using red light cameras to catch these drivers, even when the police are not around. Many drivers are cited only after causing a crash with another vehicle that had a green light at the time.

Red light running has always been an issue, but the increase suggests that it may be a bigger problem moving forward. It also raises questions about what has changed and why it’s happening more often.

Why do drivers run red lights?

Driver distraction is one of the main reasons people run red lights. Cellphones– and smartphones, in particular — have contributed to higher levels of driver distraction. Many drivers may simply not see the red light at all.

Other drivers are in a hurry and may think they can get away with running the red light. They don’t want to wait for the light to turn green, so they treat it like a four-way stop. If they think the cross traffic is clear, they’ll run the red light to save time.

Have you been given a citation?

Because red light running is becoming more common, police are starting to focus on it more intently than they have in the past. This could lead to an increase in citations. If you have been given one, it is important to understand all the legal steps you can take moving if you believe you were wrongly cited and want to fight that citation.