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

• Published in: Accident analysis and prevention 1999-11, Vol.31 (6), p.687-694
• Main Authors: Retting, Richard A., Ulmer, Robert G., Williams, Allan F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accidents, Traffic - statistics & numerical data; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alcohol Drinking; Automobile Driving - legislation & jurisprudence; Female; Humans; Intersections; Male; Middle Aged; Pedestrians; Prevalence; Red light running; Risk-Taking; Traffic signals; United States; Urban crashes; Vehicle crashes
• ISSN: 0001-4575; 1879-2057
• DOI: 10.1016/S0001-4575(99)00029-9

About 40% of motor vehicle crashes occur at intersections. In recent years, the number of crashes at traffic signals has increased considerably. A major cause of such crashes is drivers disregarding traffic signals. Despite concerns about the frequent occurrence of red light violations and the significant crash consequences, relatively little is known about the overall prevalence and characteristics of red light running crashes. The present study examines the prevalence of red light running crashes on a national basis and identifies the characteristics of such crashes and the drivers involved. Cities with especially high rates of fatal red light running crashes are identified. Countermeasures to reduce red light running crashes based on collision patterns and characteristics of drivers involved are discussed. It was estimated that about 260 000 red light running crashes occur annually in the United States, of which approximately 750 result in fatalities. Comparisons 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 were more likely than other drivers to be younger than age 30, male, have prior moving violations and convictions for driving while intoxicated, have invalid driver’s licenses, and have consumed alcohol prior to the crash. Comparisons also were made between characteristics of red light runners involved in daytime and nighttime crashes. Nighttime red light runners were more likely than daytime runners to be young, male, and have more deviant characteristics, 53% having high blood alcohol concentrations.