Ohio’s traffic signals seek to make the state’s roadways safer by regulating the flow of traffic. However, motorists who ignore red lights pose a serious threat to you and anyone else navigating busy intersections. The number of national road deaths resulting from negligent drivers who blow through red lights is at a 10-year high, and Ohio is one of the worst states for offenders.
According to Cincinnatti.com, Ohio currently ranks 11th in the nation for fatalities caused by red-light runners, with 229 people dying in crashes caused by them within a recent 10-year period. On the national level, 939 people died in car wrecks caused by motorists running red lights between within that same span. Furthermore, the number of related road deaths rose by 18% between 2008 and 2017.
The offending driver rarely the victim
Research shows that in the majority, or 65%, of fatal crashes caused by red-light runners, it is not the careless driver who loses his or her life. Instead, your risk of dying in such a crash is higher when you are a driver or passenger in another vehicle. Cyclists and pedestrians navigating intersections are also frequent victims of drivers who blow through red lights.
Many drivers hold hypocritical viewpoints
It is also worth noting that while the majority of today’s drivers agree that running red lights is quite dangerous, many of them are also offenders. A recent survey revealed that one in three drivers acknowledged blowing a red light within the past 30 days, even though they could have safely stopped before doing so.