One of the first things that everyone learns in driver’s ed is that a red light means you have to stop. The green light means go, while the yellow light means you should slow down because it’s about to turn red. This is a fundamental part of driving that everyone needs to understand before they get a license, and most drivers do.
But despite that understanding, red light running remains common. In one study, for instance, roughly a third of all drivers said they had run a red light in the last month. The percentage is certain to be much higher if you consider the last year or even how many drivers have run a red light in their lives. Most people have done it at some point, and some drivers seem to do it consistently. But why is this, if it’s so dangerous?
A few potential reasons
Every situation is unique, but here are a few reasons why people may run red lights:
- They are facing societal pressure and a constant sense of urgency, which means that they are in a rush.
- They are speeding up so that they can get through the yellow light, but they end up running the red light.
- They are distracted by their phone, so they don’t see the light or don’t notice that it changed.
- They are under the influence of alcohol or other substances, like marijuana or painkillers.
- They are simply frustrated with the traffic conditions or general traffic congestion, and they don’t want to wait for the light to cycle again.
Regardless of the reason that a driver gives, running a red light is a serious error that can cause a severe accident. If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may deserve financial compensation.
