National Coalition for Safer Roads Releases First-ever Report Revealing Red-light Running Data And Trends Across The U.S.

Memorial Day Weekend has highest rate of red-light running

WASHINGTON, May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 2.3 million drivers in 18 states ran a red light in 2011, according to the first-ever Safer Roads Report 2012: Trends in Red-Light Running from the National Coalition for Safer Roads (NCSR).

The report released today examines red-light running trends across 18 states and is designed to help raise driver awareness of the dangers of red-light running. The risks of red-light running are clear: Intersection-related vehicle accidents caused more than 8,500 causalities in 2001, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

NCSR's report analyzed red-light running data collected from 1,240 red-light safety cameras across 142 areas in 18 states.

Report Highlights:

• Memorial Day weekend was the highest ranked holiday travel period, with 26,787 red-light running violations in 2011 — a more than 27 percent increase in violations than the average weekend
• Christmas Day had the lowest number of red-light running violations in 2011, with 3,859 total — nearly 40 percent less than the average daily violation total
• Friday proved to be the worst day for intersection safety in 2011 — safety cameras caught 378,122 total red-light running violations — while Sunday saw the fewest violations, with 289,603 total
• Drivers most frequently ran red lights in the afternoon, with 30.7 percent (719,702) of all red-light running violations in 2011 occurring from 1 p.m.– 5 p.m.

"This report shines a light on the life-threatening epidemic of red-light running on our nation's roads," said David Kelly, President and Executive Director, NCSR, and Former Acting Administrator of NHTSA. "This new information reveals when we are most vulnerable on the road. We're arming drivers, cyclists and pedestrians with knowledge they can use to keep themselves and their families safer on the road. Drivers everywhere need to make a more conscious effort to be aware on the roadways —no matter the time or the place."

For more information on Safer Roads Report 2012: Trends in Red-Light Running, please visit http://www.NCSRsafety.org/ . Also view the associated infographic.

The National Coalition for Safer Roads helps save lives and protect communities by demonstrating how red-light safety cameras can improve driver behavior. NCSR brings together policymakers, community leaders and concerned citizens in support of red-light safety cameras, advocating for their use in cities and communities across the country. The National Coalition for Safer Roads is a 501 (c)(6) industry trade association. To learn more, please visit www.NCSRsafety.org follow @SaferRoadsUSA on Twitter and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/SaferRoadsUSA.

SOURCE National Coalition for Safer Roads