Far too many accidents across California and the rest of the country occur when an individual runs through a red light. These situations refer to situations not in which the light is changing from yellow to red, but circumstances where the traffic light is clearly red and the driver chooses to speed through anyways. Many cities have chosen to implement red light cameras in order to prevent this behavior, and these cameras tend to be quite effective at cutting down on this dangerous behavior.
Drivers who have the right of way at the other intersections may be hit by a red light runner going at excessive speed, which is why many cities and states have implemented red light cameras to catch these law breakers at important intersections. However, according to recent research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, fourteen cities were involved in camera programs and fatal crashes from running red lights increased by 30% after the cities turned off those cameras. The second part of the study identifies that cities that make use of the cameras on a regular basis have lower crash rates when compared with cities that never had them. Red light cameras may be crucial for protecting drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians from serious injuries.
The study also looks at crash rates in fourteen cities that stopped their camera program to compare the results with 29 cities that continued that program, finding a 16% increase in crashes and all kinds of crashes at intersections. If you have been hit by a red light runner at any intersection in San Diego or elsewhere in California, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. The only way to protect your claim is to consult with a knowledgeable car accident attorney as soon as possible.