Red-light Running Facts

Red-light running is a dangerous and costly problem.

• Red-light running is the leading cause of urban crashes according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
• In 2006, 144,000 injuries and nearly 900 fatalities in the U.S. were attributed to red-light running. There were more than 1.8 million accidents at intersections.

A crash caused by a driver who runs a red light is more likely to result in serious injury or death.

• Deaths caused by red-light running are increasing at more than three times the rate of increase for all other fatal crashes.
• More people are injured in crashes involving red-light running than in any other crash type.
• Reduction in red-light running through a comprehensive red-light camera program will promote and protect the public health, safety and welfare of Conroe's citizens.

Most people run red lights because they are in a hurry, when in fact they save only seconds.

• Almost all drivers (96%) fear being struck by a red-light runner.
• A majority of Americans (56%) admit to running red lights.
• Red-light runners can be anyone who drives.
• One in three Americans knows someone who has been injured or killed in a red-light running crash.
• Red-light running is often a result of aggressive driving and is completely preventable.

Sources: "Stop Red Light Running," Federal Highway Administration Safety Website: safety.fhwa.dot.gov/programs/srlr.htm.2002.

R. A. Retting and A.F. Williams, "Characteristics of Red Light Violators: Results of a Field Investigation," Journal of Safety Research (1996): 27.1, 9-15.

Red-light Cameras Increase Safety by Changing Driver Behavior in the Long Run

In a 2007 study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, researchers tallied signal violations at intersections in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania before and after red-light camera enforcement was in effect for about one year and found the cameras reduced violations by 96 percent.

Since May 2007, the city of St. Louis, Missouri has experienced a 49 percent reduction in citations at the first two photo-enforced intersections.

The city of Cathedral City, California reported a 50 percent decrease in the number of citations issued since 2007 and a 30 percent decrease in the number of reported traffic collisions at photo-enforced intersections.

The city of Seattle, Washington reported a 50 percent decrease in violations during the first year of its pilot program with six initial camera sites.

After the city of Gallatin Tennessee, installed red-light cameras in 2006, citations for red-light running are down more than 40 percent and traffic accidents have reduced by 25 percent. Tennessean.com 09.04.08

In, Garland, Texas crashes caused by red-light runners decreased by 56 percent (from 43 crashes to 19) at four intersections with red-light cameras installed. Overall, crashes reduced by 25 percent, and all injury crashes reduced by 27 percent.

After the first six months of its Intersection Safety Program, Houston, Texas reported a 30 percent decrease in overall crashes.

From 1994-2005, red-light running violations decreased 73% in New York City.

Accidents are down 11 percent in intersections with red-light cameras in Arnold, Missouri. At one intersection in front of a school, accidents decreased 50 percent.

During its first year of operation, the City of Florissant, Missouri saw a 51 percent reduction in citations at intersections with safety cameras.

In Calgary, Canada, the city reported a 29.4 percent decrease in total right-angle collisions, a 39.4 percent decrease in injury right-angle collisions, and a 100 percent decrease in fatal right-angle collisions.

Statistics from the Red Bank, Tennessee Police Department show a 13.8 percent reduction in collisions citywide on a year-over-year basis. Collision reductions at camera-equipped intersections resulted in even greater reductions.