PSA: Green Means Go, Yellow Means Slow, and Red Still Means Stop

In today’s society, it seems like everyone is in a rush and as a result, car accidents involving red lights are on the rise. Is saving a few minutes worth the risk of a car accident? No. Not only are you putting yourself in danger, but you are also endangering the lives of other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. At Buckley Wynne & Parese we are all too familiar with the consequences, whether physical, financial and/or emotional and the devastation these accidents can have on victims and their loved ones. 

BWP’s Reasons Drivers Run Red Lights (None Are Worth It)

The Meaning of a Yellow Light

A yellow light signal to traffic that green movement is being terminated and that a red light will immediately follow. Under Connecticut law, motorists are required to stop when a signal controlling traffic switches to yellow, unless he or she cannot do so safely. 

Connecticut & Red Light Cameras

In an effort to detect red light runners, many states have enacted legislation regarding the use of automated enforcement technology. Connecticut legislators and law enforcement agencies are actively debating whether to permit the use of red light enforcement cameras. Currently, Connecticut law prohibits the use of these cameras in issuing violations to motorists. 

National Coalitions for Safer Roads’ “Top 10 Reasons to Stop On Red”

1. Red-light running can be fatal.
2. A large portion of drivers (42.7%) admitted to driving through a stoplight that has just turned red when they could have stopped safely in the past 30 days.
3. The most common type of urban crash involves drivers who run red lights, stop signs and other traffic controls.
4. In 2016, 808 people were killed and an estimated 137,000 were injured in crashes involving red-light running.
5. More than half of the deaths in red-light running crashes are pedestrians, bicyclists, and occupants in vehicles other than vehicle running the red light.
6. 39% of people are injured in crashes in which motorists run traffic controls.
7. Between 2004-2015, an estimated 10,111 people were killed in red-light running related crashes.
8. One in three Americans know someone who has been injured or killed in a red-light running crash.
9. On average, two people died each day in red-light running crashes in the United States in 2016.
10. The leading cause of death for U.S. teens is motor vehicle crashes.

Source: NCSRSafety.org

TrafficSchoolonline.com’s “Four Ways to Avoid Running a Red Light”

1. Recognize the “Dilemma Zone” (A theoretical area about 2.5 to 5.5 seconds away from the stop line, where drivers have a 10 to 90 percent probability of stopping)
2. Know Yellow Light Laws
3. Control Your Speed
4. Never Drive Drowsy or Distracted

Source: TrafficSchoolOnline.org

Buckley Wynne & Parese Wants to Help

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries as a result of a driver who ran a red light, contact Buckley Wynne & Parese immediately. Our well respected and experienced attorneys have been helping victims injured as a result of someone’s negligence and/or wrongdoing for over 100 years. We will meet you anywhere and at any time for a free consultation.