When did it become acceptable to run red lights?

[mickeyfan9194]

On my way home from work yesterday, I encountered 10 red lights. At 6 out of the 10 of them, people drove through the intersection on red. Granted, in all cases the light had just turned from yellow to red, but then 2 to 3 cars would still proceed against the light. Do the lights not pertain to certain people? What makes them better than others? I just don't understand the mentality. I mean, really, if you don't have an extra minute or two to spare sitting at a red light (versus an illegal tarffic manuver that could cost you your life) than you need to manage your time better. This is really scary! How dare they!

 

[just4today]

I think it's a combination of several factors - people being too busy and stressed, trying to be in two or three places at once, a general erosion of respect for authority, and distraction by electronic devices that causes them to not have sufficient time to slow down and react.

 

[dakcp2001]

This is such an issue in my area that they have installed cameras on the lights. People still do it, and then go to court to try to FIGHT THESE TICKETS! It is insane!!! If you are from the area, you know to wait a minute or two after the light turns green, but I fear for anyone who is new to the area!

It is not worth the risk.

 

[manning]

Now you know why red light cameras at intersections are revenue makers. And how much you wanta bet those who get caught are more mad at the city than themselves.

 

[SC Minnie]

DD is learning to drive. This is exactly what I told her when at a stop light and your light turns green you MUST look both ways to make sure the cars that have the now red light are actually going to stop. It does get ridiculous sometimes especially during rush hour time.

 

[DancingBear]

As someone who was put into intensive care by a driver who ran a red light, I wholeheartedly agree.

 

[Maridw]

It happens all the time in our city and everyone cries FOUL if the subject of red light cameras is even brought up.

The intersection up the street from our house is notorious for redlight runners. I always give it a second or two before I start on the green light to make sure that no one is going to run the light. My DD, DH & I sit at lights and count the number of light runners.

Another intersection that is bad is one that has a dedicated left turn light and people go through the left turn light after it has turned red. We watched 6 cars go through on the red while the people going the opposite direction had the green and had to wait.

 

[okeydokey]

DD is learning to drive. This is exactly what I told her when at a stop light and your light turns green you MUST look both ways to make sure the cars that have the now red light are actually going to stop. It does get ridiculous sometimes especially during rush hour time.

Please warn her also to look in her rear view mirror before stopping for a red light to be sure the person behind isn't expecting her to blow through it so they can too. I can't tell you how many times I am almost hit from behind because someone tailing me thinks I'm going to blow the red.

 

[manning]

There is a city near me who took the cameras out by demand of the citizens and I don't blame them. The city got greedy. They gamed the system. Instead of being satisfied with catching legitimate runners they shortened the yellow lights. When it was found out all hell broke loose.

 

[legalsea]

Please warn her also to look in her rear view mirror before stopping for a red light to be sure the person behind isn't expecting her to blow through it so they can too. I can't tell you how many times I am almost hit from behind because someone tailing me thinks I'm going to blow the red.

Very sound advice. I have even had people behind me honk at me because I stopped for a red light instead of barrelling through.

The other day the light I was sitting at turned green for me. Since I knew the intersection, I waited a moment. Sure enough, here came a young woman flying through the intersection, phone held to her ear, oblivious to all.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Readers Digest mentioned this in an article a few years ago which has always stuck with me. Once the light changes wait 3 seconds before proceeding. According to them most people who run lights choose to do so while it's yellow and taking speed ect into account the 3 seconds gives most of them enough time to clear the road before you cross.

I now do it all the time and believe it or not it did save me. About 3 months ago I was in front waiting to turn left onto the highway ramp when someone came careening down the opposite side exiting from the highway on my right and took the turn passing infront of me to go the opposite way REALLY hard and fast, at about 50 MPH. If I had crossed like I was entitled to do I would have been seriously hurt.

Thanks Readers Digest!

 

[shortbun]

I drive a school bus. You should see how many people intentionally run my lights everyday.

 

[Goofy05]

As someone who was put into intensive care by a driver who ran a red light, I wholeheartedly agree.

Although not rushed to the hospital, I was t-boned in the center of an intersection by a red light runner. The officer at the scene told me it was the THIRD TIME she had run a red and caused an accident. Thankfully, nobody was seriously injured, but both cars were totalled. This was almost 15 years ago, so I guess it's been "acceptable" for some to run reds for a very long time...

 

[LoraJ]

Readers Digest mentioned this in an article a few years ago which has always stuck with me. Once the light changes wait 3 seconds before proceeding. According to them most people who run lights choose to do so while it's yellow and taking speed ect into account the 3 seconds gives most of them enough time to clear the road before you cross.

I now do it all the time and believe it or not it did save me. About 3 months ago I was in front waiting to turn left onto the highway ramp when someone came careening down the opposite side exiting from the highway on my right and took the turn passing infront of me to go the opposite way REALLY hard and fast, at about 50 MPH. If I had crossed like I was entitled to do I would have been seriously hurt.

Thanks Readers Digest!

I wait and check to make sure all cars are stopping before I proceed into the intersection. Of course I get honked at by Mr./Mrs. Impatient behind me. But I have had too many near misses in the past.

 

[Micca]

It's incredibly dangerous/stupid to run red lights. When I'm at a red light and it changes to green, I'm very cautious about proceeding through the intersection.

 

[dawson5]

we have the cameras installed here but they use them for selt belt checks. Seems to be a waste of money. I've only heard of one person getting pulled over for not wearing the seat belt---it was in front of a PO and not at the light.

I wait a few seconds after the light changes but have now started tooting my horn at them. I think if it calls attention, possibly they might feel guilty or it might get them off their phone to pay attention to traffic.

 

[Darsa]

On my way home from work yesterday, I encountered 10 red lights. At 6 out of the 10 of them, people drove through the intersection on red. Granted, in all cases the light had just turned from yellow to red, but then 2 to 3 cars would still proceed against the light. Do the lights not pertain to certain people? What makes them better than others? I just don't understand the mentality. I mean, really, if you don't have an extra minute or two to spare sitting at a red light (versus an illegal tarffic manuver that could cost you your life) than you need to manage your time better. This is really scary! How dare they!

It sounds like you're in my head every single morning on the way to, and ever single evening on the way from, work. I go through multitudes of lighted intersections and am daily astonished at the number of FULLY red light-runners. I've run my share of yellow, but yeesh; I can't imagine being as brave as some of these people.

 

[just4today]

I think if it calls attention, possibly they might feel guilty or it might get them off their phone to pay attention to traffic.

I won't lie and say I've never been on my phone while driving, but only very rarely. It just amazes me to see how many sheriff's deputies and state police I see on their phones all the time. I guess the same rules and concern for safety don't apply to them.

 

[tazdev3225]

One of the major N-S roads in my area was built when the section it serves was mostly farm land. It has red light cameras, designated safe zone signs (double fines) everywhere, and speed indicators on the side of the road. I use it or cross it several times a week. I have counted as many as 5 flashes for the cameras when I am stopped for the red. The posted speed limit is 45 mph and people routinely do 60+. I was almost hit twice crossing that road the other day. Once by someone barreling through the red light across the 12 lane road and once by someone exiting a parking lot trying to beat the traffic that had the green light. Lucky me I was the first car to come her way with the green light. Thankfully I know the area and wasn't going to fast and could stop. She gave me an obscene gesture with one hand while talking on her phone with the other hand as she turned. I'm not sure what she was using to steer.
The problem is that people have no regard for anybody else anymore. They are too caught up in their own lives. I stop at all intersections just a few seconds longer and try to stop for the yellow lights, not always possible. I would like to live a little longer.

 

[dawson5]

One of the major N-S roads in my area was built when the section it serves was mostly farm land. It has red light cameras, designated safe zone signs (double fines) everywhere, and speed indicators on the side of the road. I use it or cross it several times a week. I have counted as many as 5 flashes for the cameras when I am stopped for the red. The posted speed limit is 45 mph and people routinely do 60+. I was almost hit twice crossing that road the other day. Once by someone barreling through the red light across the 12 lane road and once by someone exiting a parking lot trying to beat the traffic that had the green light. Lucky me I was the first car to come her way with the green light. Thankfully I know the area and wasn't going to fast and could stop. She gave me an obscene gesture with one hand while talking on her phone with the other hand as she turned. I'm not sure what she was using to steer.
The problem is that people have no regard for anybody else anymore. They are too caught up in their own lives. I stop at all intersections just a few seconds longer and try to stop for the yellow lights, not always possible. I would like to live a little longer.

Is that what the flashes are? I saw this the other day, boys and I were just watching going "WTH?" We had never seen the flashing before. We have seen the cameras, never noticed the bulbs on the back.

I won't lie and say I've never been on my phone while driving, but only very rarely. It just amazes me to see how many sheriff's deputies and state police I see on their phones all the time. I guess the same rules and concern for safety don't apply to them.

I can't say I've ever seen a PO on the phone while in the car. I have seen them driving their family around in the car though, which I thought wasn't allowed.