Protect and Survive:

How Red Light Running Can Be Effectively Mitigated

The statistics do not make for pleasant reading. In 2021, 1,109 people were killed in vehicle crashes that involved red light running in the US alone. If those numbers aren’t horrifying enough, that total was a 10-year high.

It's alarming to note that more than half of the fatalities caused by red-light runners were not even inside the offending vehicle. This includes motorcyclists, bicyclists, pedestrians, drivers, and passengers in other vehicles that were hit by the reckless drivers. These incidents accounted for over 50% of the 1,109 deaths and more than half of the 125,000+ people who were injured due to red-light running in the same year.

In the United States, many cities and 23 states utilize red light cameras to enforce traffic laws at intersections. These cameras are typically placed near traffic signals and automatically capture images or videos of vehicles that run red lights. Offenders are then issued citations by mail. The use of red light cameras is a controversial topic, with some arguing that they improve safety and deter red light violations, while others believe that they are primarily focused on generating revenue. Red light cameras are also used in several European countries, such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. However, the extent of their utilization and public opinion on their effectiveness can differ across various European countries, just as it does among states in the US.

Penalties for red light violations in the USA can vary depending on the jurisdiction. Typically, red light violations result in fines, and multiple violations may lead to increased penalties, points on the driver's license, or even license suspension. However, the specific penalties vary by state and municipality.

In Europe, penalties for red light violations vary by country. The amount of the fine can depend on the seriousness of the violation, any prior offenses, and the traffic laws of the country. In certain European countries, such violations may result in penalty points being added to the driver's license or other forms of punishment.

A RED LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

Crucially, public perception of red light enforcement in the US differs greatly among individuals, communities, cities, and states. Some argue that red light enforcement is necessary for improving road safety and reducing accidents, while others criticize it as a revenue-generating tactic or claim that it can lead to rear-end collisions if drivers brake abruptly to avoid running a red light.

Did you know that red light safety cameras are highly effective in deterring red light running? A recent study by IIHS discovered that the use of cameras reduced the fatality rate in larger cities by 21 percent and decreased the number of fatal accidents at signalized intersections by 14 percent across all categories. Despite being aware of the rules of the road they agreed to comply with when they acquired their driver's license, why do so many individuals still run through red signals?

There are myriad reasons why drivers fail to stop at red lights. An estimated 48% of those crashes were caused by drivers not adhering to the speed limit, meaning that although it is unlikely that the accidents were caused deliberately, over 500 people in the US in 2021 were killed by someone intentionally driving too fast. Perhaps a telling statistic is that 86% of the AAA’s 2019 surveyed drivers say it is unacceptable to go through red lights. Does that mean that the other 14% think that it’s OK in certain situations?

Other causes of red light running listed by the many and various reports published by road safety agencies include driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, distraction, inattention, impatience, and the natural variables of weather conditions.

STATE MEASURES

California had the highest number of fatalities caused by red light running-related crashes, with 128 deaths reported within a specific time frame. However, Arizona had the highest per capita death rate, while New Hampshire had the highest per capita accident rate. Unfortunately, there is no consistent nationwide strategy for addressing and reducing these alarming statistics. Currently, 18 states have laws in place for both automated red-light enforcement and speed enforcement. Meanwhile, five states (California, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, and Texas) only have laws for automated red-light enforcement, and New Mexico is the only state that solely relies on speed enforcement measures.

How can the traffic technology industry address the concerning trend of drivers who knowingly exceed the speed limit causing almost half of the serious accidents due to red light running? It is clear that technology available today, such as SWARCO McCain’s Omni eX® Red Light Protect, can prevent many of these incidents. Federal Grants and programs are available to fund technology upgrades for implementing Red Light Protection solutions. This technology can be implemented at every intersection, potentially saving lives.

MAJOR METRO GETS PROACTIVE

A major metropolitan city in California has experienced issues with drivers running red lights at certain intersections. The city wanted to find a solution to this problem and explore the effectiveness of Omni eX®'s Red Light Protect feature. SWARCO McCain was tasked with demonstrating how the software could extend the clearance interval for red light violations and protect the intersection from violators. Together with detection system provider, Iteris, the team successfully demonstrated the combined system's functionality and flexibility. This ensured that any driver entering the intersection during a yellow or red light would have enough time to pass through safely.

Although red light protection cannot prevent a vehicle from entering an intersection during a conflicting green light timing, Omni eX® offers sufficient time for the vehicle to clear the intersection, regardless of when it enters during the clearance interval. This protects all others at the intersection. This solution exceeded the city’s expectations, namely:

• Identify a probable red light violator
• Provide sufficient time for the violator to clear the intersection
• Set a speed threshold that would determine the probability of a red light violator
• Provide additional time for additional violators if necessary due to tailgating activities

TOWARDS VISION ZERO

Preventing red light running has the potential to save over 1,000 lives annually in the US alone and is in line with the principles of Vision Zero. Thus, it makes sense to prioritize funding for red light running prevention and mitigation projects that align with Vision Zero safety initiatives.

Vision Zero is a strategy aimed at reducing traffic fatalities and severe injuries while promoting safe, equitable, and healthy mobility for all. The concept was first introduced in Sweden during the 1990s and has since been adopted by several European cities. It's now gaining momentum in American cities, also. In countries like Sweden and Norway, road traffic accidents resulting in severe injury or death have decreased by one-third and more than half respectively since 2010. However, in the US, such accidents have increased by more than a third over the same period.

There are six undeniable principles that form the basis of the Vision Zero:

• Deaths and serious injuries are unacceptable
• Humans make mistakes
• Humans are vulnerable
• Responsibility is shared
• Safety is proactive
• Redundancy is crucial

The proposed Safety Solution for Red Light Running can subsequently be described like this:

• Provide a safety feature that creates a larger buffer than standard programming between conflicting directions when a red-light runner is detected.
• Discourage bad behavior by only changing the red clearance timing, thus still making red light running an illegal moving violation.
• Protect the intersection, road users, and vulnerable users (pedestrians and bikes) from the driver, not necessarily to solely protect the driver.
• Use current advanced detection technology to determine when a potential red-light runner is approaching the intersection.
• The system needs to be detector agnostic (a detection technology can be used).
• Be accurate and reliable but lean toward the side of safety and provide for a margin of error. 

The statistics mentioned at the beginning of this blog are truly alarming. Unfortunately, if the current trend in the United States persists, these numbers will only become more dreadful and unacceptable. However, there are ways to reverse this trend and improve the situation. Grants and funding programs are available to assist city authorities of all sizes in implementing these initiatives. It is important to take action now.

THE GOOD NEWS

There is grant funding available to improve the safety of streets, including projects that support the Vision Zero initiative and traffic management improvements. One option for reducing traffic, accidents, and fatalities is to implement SWARCO McCain solutions, such as Red Light Protect, which are eligible for grant funding. To learn more, contact your SWARCO McCain representative.