Reckless Driving Definition & State Laws Explained

Reckless driving is one of the most serious traffic violations on the books. Unlike routine speeding or minor moving violations, reckless driving carries criminal consequences in most states. It reflects behavior on the road that shows a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others. Drivers charged with reckless driving face harsh penalties, including jail time, large fines, license suspension, and a permanent criminal record. Understanding the definition of reckless driving, how states interpret it, and what actions typically lead to charges is essential for every driver.

What Is Reckless Driving?

Why Drivers Run Red Lights: Top 10 Reasons & Risks

 

Red light running is one of the most common and dangerous traffic violations worldwide. At nearly every busy intersection, you’ve probably witnessed a driver pushing through just as the light turns red—or worse, long after. This behavior is not only illegal but also a major contributor to car crashes, pedestrian accidents, and traffic fatalities. According to transportation safety studies, thousands of collisions each year are directly linked to red light violations.

Understanding why drivers run red lights is critical for prevention, awareness, and safer driving habits. Below, we’ll break down the ten most common reasons behind this risky behavior, followed by the consequences and strategies to reduce red light running.

1. Impatience and Being in a Hurry

One of the leading causes of red light running is simple impatience. Drivers running late for work, appointments, or flights often decide that saving 30 seconds at an intersection is worth the risk. In congested urban areas, these hurried decisions are especially common. Unfortunately, what feels like a “time saver” can quickly turn into a life-altering collision. The reality is that the few seconds gained by running a red light are negligible compared to the potential consequences of a crash, injury, or death.

2. Distracted Driving

In today’s smartphone-obsessed world, distracted driving has become a crisis on its own. Texting, scrolling social media, eating, adjusting navigation apps, or even talking with passengers can divert attention long enough to miss a signal change. A distracted driver might not notice a light turning red until it’s too late, leading them to inadvertently enter the intersection against traffic. Because distraction slows reaction time, even a small lapse in focus can be deadly at intersections where pedestrians and cross-traffic have the right of way.

3. Intoxication and Impaired Judgment

Alcohol and drugs significantly impair judgment, reaction times, and coordination. An intoxicated driver may misjudge the timing of a yellow light, or fail to even register a red signal altogether. Studies consistently show that impaired drivers are overrepresented in red light running crashes. This is one reason DUI laws are strictly enforced, as impaired decision-making combined with intersection traffic is a recipe for disaster.

4. Reckless Driving

Reckless drivers—those who speed excessively, weave through lanes, or treat road rules as optional—are naturally more prone to running red lights. For these individuals, the violation may not be an accident but rather an intentional act of defiance. Their behavior endangers not only themselves but everyone else sharing the road. Intersections become particularly hazardous when reckless drivers assume they can “beat the light” at high speeds.

5. Inexperience Behind the Wheel

New drivers often lack the experience and situational awareness to anticipate light changes or judge stopping distances. They may also underestimate the importance of complete compliance with traffic signals. Inexperience can lead to hesitation or confusion at intersections, sometimes resulting in accidental red light running. Driver education programs stress the importance of defensive driving, but without practice, young drivers may still make critical errors.

6. Emergency Situations

Not every red light violation stems from negligence. Sometimes drivers run red lights to respond to emergencies—whether rushing someone to the hospital, trying to escape a dangerous situation, or avoiding a collision. While most jurisdictions allow emergency vehicles like ambulances, police cars, and fire trucks to lawfully pass red lights with sirens on, private drivers are still required to stop. Even in emergencies, running a light carries high risks that could make the situation worse.

7. Aggressive Driving

Aggressive drivers share similarities with reckless ones, but their actions are often fueled by road rage or frustration. Tailgating, cutting off other vehicles, and accelerating through yellow lights are all forms of aggressive driving that frequently result in red light running. These drivers may feel entitled to maintain their pace regardless of signals, prioritizing their own convenience over safety.

8. Confusion at Intersections

Not all red light running is intentional. In complicated intersections with multiple signals, turn arrows, or poor signage, drivers may genuinely become confused. For example, a motorist might mistake a green arrow for a green light in their lane, or misinterpret flashing signals. Confusion is especially common for visitors unfamiliar with local traffic laws, such as right-on-red rules or flashing red/yellow patterns. Poor visibility and faded markings can make matters worse.

9. Mechanical Issues

Though rare, mechanical failures like brake malfunctions or stuck accelerators can force a driver through an intersection against their will. Regular vehicle maintenance is crucial to minimize this risk, as even well-intentioned drivers are helpless if their car won’t stop. When investigating collisions, authorities sometimes discover faulty equipment played a role in a red light violation.

10. Weather and Road Conditions

Weather is a powerful factor in traffic safety. Wet or icy roads increase stopping distances, and drivers traveling too fast for conditions may be unable to stop when the light turns red. Fog can also reduce visibility so severely that drivers don’t notice the signal until it’s too late. Defensive driving—slowing down, leaving extra space, and anticipating slick conditions—is the best protection against weather-related violations.

The Consequences of Running Red Lights

Running a red light is never a minor infraction. The consequences ripple far beyond the driver:

Collisions and Crashes

Intersections are some of the most dangerous areas on the road. Red light running often leads to T-bone collisions, side-impact crashes, and accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists. These types of crashes are among the deadliest because the sides of vehicles offer less protection than the front or rear.

Injuries and Fatalities

Victims of red light crashes may suffer broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or worse. According to traffic safety reports, hundreds of fatalities annually are attributed to red light violations in the United States alone.

Legal and Financial Penalties

A single violation can carry steep fines, points on your license, and possible suspension for repeat offenders. Some states even use red light cameras to automatically ticket violators. Beyond legal trouble, insurance companies often raise rates significantly after a red light ticket or crash.

Increased Traffic Congestion

When collisions occur at intersections, traffic flow is disrupted. Emergency response, investigations, and blocked lanes can create backups that ripple through city streets for hours.

How to Prevent Red Light Running

The good news is that red light running is entirely preventable. Here are key strategies for drivers:

• Slow down before intersections rather than speeding up to beat the light.

• Stay alert by putting away your phone and reducing in-car distractions.

• Plan ahead so you don’t feel pressured to rush through lights.

• Respect yellow lights as a signal to prepare to stop, not an excuse to accelerate.

• Maintain your vehicle to ensure brakes and tires are in top condition.

• Adjust for weather by leaving more stopping distance and driving cautiously.

• Stay calm even when frustrated, remembering that safety is worth more than a few seconds saved.

Conclusion: Safety Over Speed

Running a red light might seem like a small risk when you’re late or distracted, but it’s one of the most dangerous choices a driver can make. Whether caused by impatience, intoxication, weather, or confusion, every red light violation puts lives at stake. By staying attentive, patient, and prepared, drivers can help make intersections safer for everyone.

Next time you approach a yellow light, ask yourself: Is saving a few seconds really worth risking someone’s life?

Top Regions Where Distracted Driving Is a Major Problem

Where Distracted Driving Is the Biggest Problem—and Why It’s So Dangerous

Distracted driving continues to be one of the most dangerous and widespread traffic safety issues in the world today. With mobile phones, dashboard screens, and endless daily distractions, modern drivers are under constant pressure—and the roadways are showing it. But where is distracted driving the worst, and why is it so deadly?

Top Regions Where Distracted Driving Is a Major Problem

1. United States

Distracted driving remains one of the top causes of traffic deaths and injuries nationwide. According to the NHTSA, in 2024 alone, distracted driving led to over 3,000 fatalities and more than 400,000 injuries.

A Verra Mobility survey in 2024 uncovered the following alarming trends in driver perception and behavior:

• 85% of Americans believe distracted driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving.

• 65% say they see a driver using their phone multiple times a week.

• 89% regularly witness speeding.

• 67% see red-light running at least once a month.

• 60% have seen someone speeding in a school zone.

• 63% believe the average driver has gotten worse in recent years.

• 78% say drivers in their state are reckless.

Despite these widespread observations, many drivers view themselves more favorably:

• 65% claimed they have never driven distracted in the past year.

• 74% said they had not used their phone while driving during that time.

• 49% said they stick to the speed limit, while 45% admitted to driving 5–10 mph over.

• 85% claimed they had never exceeded the speed limit in a school zone.

This highlights the disconnect between public perception and personal accountability, a major barrier to solving the problem.

2. Canada

Distracted driving contributes to 21% of fatal collisions and 27% of serious injury crashes, according to Transport Canada.

• British Columbia has reported more deaths from distracted driving than impaired driving.

• Ontario enforces penalties of up to $1,000, 3 demerit points, and license suspension on a first offense.

3. United Kingdom

• Over 420 collisions in 2023 were officially linked to mobile phone use, according to the Department for Transport.

• Experts estimate that as many as 25% of accidents may involve some form of distraction, even if not officially reported.

4. Australia

• New South Wales issued nearly 40,000 mobile phone fines in 2022 using high-tech detection cameras.

• Distracted driving is linked to 1 in 4 road crashes and costs the economy over $30 billion annually.

5. India

• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways reported 13,022 accidents caused by mobile phone use in 2022.

• Real figures may be significantly higher due to underreporting and poor enforcement.

Why Distracted Driving Is So Dangerous

Distractions fall into three categories:

Type of Distraction	Example	Risk
Visual	Looking at a phone	Eyes off the road
Manual	Adjusting a radio	Hands off the wheel
Cognitive	Daydreaming	Mind off driving

Key Statistics:

• Looking at your phone for just 5 seconds at 55 mph means you're driving the length of a football field blindfolded.

• Texting increases crash risk by 23x.

• Using a phone reduces driving-related brain activity by up to 37%.

Who’s Most at Risk?

• Drivers under 25: Account for 25% of distracted driving-related deaths.

• Urban commuters: Heavily exposed to visual and cognitive distractions.

• Commercial drivers: Often distracted by logistics apps or hands-free devices.

How to Reduce Distracted Driving

✅ 1. Enforce Stricter Laws

• Most U.S. states now ban texting while driving.

• Countries like the UK and Australia impose large fines, license points, and even jail time.

✅ 2. Leverage Smart Tech

• Apps like AT&T DriveMode and built-in Do Not Disturb While Driving features prevent texting on the road.

• Automakers now include eye-tracking systems and driver monitoring alerts.

✅ 3. Build Awareness

• Campaigns like "It Can Wait" and "Stop it... Or Cop it" have reached millions and helped reduce phone use behind the wheel.

✅ 4. Start at Home and Work

• Parental controls and teen driving contracts build good habits early.

• Employer fleet monitoring apps ensure safety compliance across industries.

Final Thoughts

With over 400,000 injuries and thousands of lives lost each year, distracted driving isn’t just a problem—it’s an epidemic. But it’s also completely preventable. Greater awareness, tougher laws, personal accountability, and better tech can turn the tide.

Eyes on the road. Hands on the wheel. Mind on driving. It really is that simple.

Tragic Johnny Gaudreau Bike Crash on Pennsville Auburn Road Raises Concerns About Road Safety

Oldmans Township, NJ – The recent tragic accident involving NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew on Pennsville Auburn Road near Stumpy Lane has sparked renewed concerns about road safety in Salem County. The brothers were riding their bikes around 8:30 p.m. on August 29, 2024, returning home after an evening ride, when they were struck by a suspected drunk driver.

This accident is part of a troubling pattern on this stretch of road, known for its narrow lanes and limited visibility. Local residents have long expressed concerns about the safety of cyclists and pedestrians, urging authorities to take action.

Past Incidents and Calls for Safety Improvements

In addition to this recent tragedy, Pennsville Auburn Road has been the site of several other serious incidents over the years. The mix of residential areas and busy throughways has made it a hotspot for accidents, particularly those involving speeding and distracted driving.

Residents are calling for improved lighting, better signage, and the introduction of dedicated bike lanes. The hope is that this high-profile incident will lead to meaningful changes that can prevent future tragedies.

Conclusion

The loss of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau serves as a stark reminder of the dangers present on certain roads. As the investigation continues, the community hopes that this tragedy will lead to enhanced safety measures on Pennsville Auburn Road and similar roadways across the region.

Tips To Avoid Distracted Driving

Be honest with yourself.

It's easy for most of us to overestimate how much we can accomplish in a given time. If you're prone to taking bites out of your sandwich while changing lanes, the first step toward becoming a more focused driver is, to be honest with yourself about your tendencies. Maybe you don't just check your phone while stopping at red lights—maybe you also use it while driving. Maybe you watch videos on YouTube or take selfies as part of Snapchat's Face Swap function. No matter what behavior keeps you from being present on the road, it's important to examine yourself critically and without judgment.

You may find that even once you've become aware of your distractions, bad habits are difficult to break. That's where technology comes in handy: try setting up an automatic reminder that prompts you to check your rear-view mirror before turning around every time. There are plenty of apps available online (just pop #distractionfree into Google) that do exactly this; all it takes is downloading one and setting parameters for how often the app should ping your phone or device!

Use the hands-free or voice control features on your phone.

Use the hands-free or voice control features on your phone. Regardless of which device you are using, most phones have a way to operate them without manually touching the screen or keyboard. In order to avoid taking your eyes off the road while driving, use these features in conjunction with voice commands instead.

Avoid earpiece use while driving. If you’re going to be on a call while driving, do not use an earpiece as it may cause you to be distracted by movements in your peripheral vision and make it difficult for you to hear things such as sirens and other warning sounds.

Limit phone use when driving is not necessary.

Do not text, use your phone or engage in any other distracted driving activities when you are not driving. Many people incorrectly assume that it is only dangerous to use a cell phone while they are behind the wheel. In fact, using a cell phone while stopped at a red light or waiting for a bus can also be dangerous.

Get into the mindset of being focused on your driving task before you get into your car and begin to drive. If you are not completely focused on the road ahead of you, then you should not be driving.

Avoid using your phone once you have started to drive, even if something urgent comes up and it seems like an emergency situation. If possible, find somebody else to help out with the emergency situation while you focus on getting yourself home safely.

Set a reminder to check your rearview mirror before you turn around.

Setting a reminder to check your rearview mirror before you turn around will help keep you from getting into an accident. Remember to check your mirror before looking behind you, since it can be difficult to remember to look when turning and it’s easy to get distracted.

Take a break when it's appropriate.

Take a break when necessary. If you are experiencing any level of stress or anxiety, it is best to stop driving and take a break. This can be as simple as closing your eyes for a minute and taking several deep breaths. It will help calm you down and help you focus on the task at hand—driving!

If you need to use the restroom, pull into a gas station or rest area and take care of business before you get back on the road. This applies to both hunger and thirst as well! Having to “go” while driving is dangerous because it takes your mind off of driving. Your brain should be 100% focused on what's in front of you, not what's behind you!

Putting your phone down when driving isn't necessary.

Putting your phone down when driving isn't necessary. If you don't need to use your phone while you're in the car, put it away. Don't take it out to check it at a traffic light, don't flip through your Instagram feed because you're waiting for someone, and don't even answer a text message that's not urgent. Essentially, don't use your phone in any way when you're behind the wheel unless you need to do so for safety reasons—and even then, make sure what you're doing is really necessary!

Avoid distractions behind the wheel, such as games, movies, and work-related emails.

It’s important to avoid distractions behind the wheel, such as games, movies, and work-related emails. Busy drivers sometimes feel that it is important to stay on top of things even when they are driving. It might seem like a good idea to text or return an email while in traffic but this can be dangerous. If you must check your email, wait until you get somewhere safe and pull over.

Always keep your eyes on the road while driving!

Be aware that every time you answer an incoming call or text message while driving, you're changing lanes and leaving yourself a smaller margin of error in case something unexpected happens.

In a car, every time you answer an incoming call or text message, you're changing lanes and leaving yourself a smaller margin of error in case something unexpected happens. You may not realize it at the moment, but your actions are affecting other drivers on the road, as well as passengers in your vehicle. When you take your eyes off the road for even a few seconds, you increase the risk of being involved in an accident. If something unexpected does happen and makes it necessary for you to react quickly, having less time to react can be extremely dangerous and put all parties at risk.

Distracted driving can happen to anyone, so follow these basic tips to make sure nothing happens to you for being distracted behind the wheel

Everyone knows that distracted driving is dangerous, and it can happen to anyone. Follow these basic tips to make sure nothing happens to you from being distracted behind the wheel:

Don't text while driving.

Limit eating, drinking, and smoking in the car.

Don't put on makeup or comb your hair while driving.

No adjusting music or programming navigation systems. If using a GPS, enter your destination before starting the car. In general, do not fiddle with any of your radio or climate controls while driving.

Do not drive if you are tired or sick. Be sure to get enough sleep before a long trip, and listen to your body's symptoms if you're ill and thinking about getting behind the wheel anyway. Driving when you're physically compromised will only increase the likelihood of having an accident due to mental distraction caused by physical discomfort. You may also want to avoid angry situations that could lead to road rage incidents where safety is compromised.* If a distraction occurs (e.g., spilled coffee), change lanes safely once clear so that no one rear-ends you as well as keep your eyes on the vehicle ahead of you.

15 Tips on How to Safely Drive Through Dangerous Intersections

The very idea of multiple vehicles going in separate directions is dangerous when you think about it, but converging at a single point might be something you would arrange to happen if you were to cause an accident deliberately! 

Here are some fast tips to negotiate intersections, prevent collisions, and reach your destination safely.  But what can you do at intersections to improve safety? 

1. DO NOT drive aggressively. A risky strategy is to accelerate to "create" a red light. A yellow signal means planning to brake; you can stop or slow down to a stop by the time the signal is red. 
2. Distracted driving. In almost all nations, talking on the phone and texting are obvious distractions and are illegal. But there are also other forms of distracted driving, such as shaving, applying makeup, or looking at a map, that may lead to an accident.  Searching for an address can also lead to the inattention and distraction of drivers. So set your GPS or find directions on a site you want, before leaving for your destination. Go to the street level view, if you use Google maps, so you have an idea of what your destination building looks like.
3. Control the speed. Speeding is one of the significant contributing factors to accidents, especially those occurring at intersections or at intersections that enter or exit. 
4. Maintain a car. The malfunctioning of warning lights (turn signals, brakes, headlights, etc.) makes predicting your actions difficult for other motorists. 
5. Boost your degree of vigilance. Display extra caution during congested traffic periods, such as rush hours, building zones, and accident scenes while passing. 
6. Learn patience. Impatience raises feelings and focus decreases. 
7. Do not drive with impaired control. A simple "do not do" is to drive after drinking or taking medication (illicit or prescription). Insufficient sleep may also affect drivers, often as great as drinking and driving.
8. Do not drive and eat. When you take your hands off the wheel and your eyes off the road, tempting as it may be to whip through a drive-through and pick up a burger and shake, eating while driving proves risky. 
9. Never run a red light. This bears repeating: The outcome of someone running a red light is almost one in eight intersection collisions. 
10. Wear your seatbelt still. Insist that everyone else buckles up in your car too. In child safety seats suitable to their age and height, children need to be in the back seat. 
11. Stow the electronic devices away. If they are securely stored out of reach, you would not be tempted to lunge for your cellphone or tablet. 
12. Assess your own driving ability. Do a self-assessment of your driving abilities and behaviors, and ask others too, then think about how you might change. 
13. Take an assessment course for a defensive driver. These classes are offered by several cultures and the American. 
14. Driving is not a competition. Your aim is to get from point A to point B safely and without an accident while you are driving. 
15. For other drivers, be courteous. The Golden Rule is it!

The first measure to improve intersection safety is driver etiquette. But at an intersection, who has the right-of-way? The reply is, it depends!

Emergency vehicles will have the first right-of-way, of course. Remain stopped and still until the intersection area is completely cleared by the emergency vehicle. Check before you travel to make sure all emergency vehicles do not obey the first one. 

The right-of-way still refers to pedestrians. Even if a pedestrian is crossing illegally (jaywalking), the right-of-way must still always be granted. 

The right-of-way is still open for unrestricted traffic flow. The unrestricted flow of traffic has the right-of-way at an intersection controlled only by a stop sign at one of the cross-streets. 

At intersections controlled by stop signs at all crossroads, the vehicle that enters the intersection first and stops first always has the right-of-way. You can return to the car on your right if vehicles arrive at the intersection at about the same moment. For vehicles going straight ahead, vehicles turning left should always yield.

Make sure that when you pass different traffic signals and controls, you know exactly what to do. 

If heavy traffic on the highway demands a halt, yield signs do not mean "halt". Yield means slowly and deliberately merging with traffic going in the same direction you are going in and giving the right-of-way, if possible, to vehicles approaching or already at the intersection. 

Traffic lights come in various colors and kinds. In each direction, the completely controlled traffic light has a red, yellow, and green light that regulates the traffic flow. A green light means continuing with responsible caution; yellow signals at the intersection to brace for a transition, most frequently followed by a red light, which means stopping, of course.

Yellow signals are not an invitation to cars to "beat" the red light by accelerating into the intersection. To avoid breaking the subsequent red light and, at the same time, to prevent having to pause in the middle of the intersection, use good judgment. 

You will sometimes experience flashing lights: Flashing amber lights warn the driver to approach and proceed through an intersection with caution. Blinking red lights require that motorists stop at the intersection before proceeding through.

Before continuing, unmarked intersections that have no control lights or signage should be considered as full stops in both directions. 

Planning ahead will stop the rush, reduce traffic tension, and help make sure you get where you go on time. 

Rushing to make an appointment is a recipe for an accident because of bad preparation. Because you are in that rush, running a red light is asking for an accident! Plan ahead, expect delays in traffic and leave for your destination early. 

Before leaving for your ride, listen to the traffic forecasts. In order to maneuver around traffic snarls and incidents that can clog your expected path, consider alternative travel routes.

Ignore distractions that interfere with your safe driving ability. Significant cognitive resources are required for driving. To keep you going safely down the lane, your brain uses visual signals, audio signals, and elevated thought processing. Driving a car does not mix well with distractions such as talking on a mobile phone, emailing, shaving, eating, putting on makeup, reading a newspaper, or any of the many other things that drivers frequently attempt to mix with the driving job. 

Drive defensively before they arise, anticipating challenging circumstances and issues. When approaching an intersection, think about what other drivers might do, particularly when you change your own direction to reach the intersection. 

When you approach or exit an intersection, do not change lanes. And always surrender to other traffic when making a U-turn on the highway at an intersection or elsewhere.

700 Pedestrians Die Every Day Wordwide

We talk a great deal about how cars congest our cities and pollute the atmosphere. We talk less about how they keep killing and injuring people simply trying to get from A to B on two feet.

Lately, our auto industry conversation about road safety has been dominated by visions, sold by Silicon Valley, of vehicles that minimize or even eliminate the need for input from a fallible human driver. Every year, more cars come armed with “pedestrian detection and avoidance” systems; soon, these systems will likely be standard issue. And not long after that, we are promised, sensors and self-improving algorithms will take over the driving process altogether, eliminating human error from roads and ushering in a new golden age of safety for all their users, whether or not they’re cocooned by a car’s steel frame. Since 2017, General Motors, the US’s largest car manufacturer, has claimed that it is developing self-driving vehicles in the service of a “triple-zero” world: zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion.

Car companies swear they are here to help – by selling us products that hardly ever hit anyone or anything. But the truth is that this promise is, at best, a distraction. In fact, much of our discourse around cars, self-driving or otherwise, is less about transforming the status quo than maintaining it, obscuring paths to progress exactly when we need them most, and leaving pedestrians right in the line of fire.

Ask a room full of road safety experts what is causing pedestrian fatalities to increase and most will admit that, well, they are not exactly sure. Every time a car hits a pedestrian, it represents the intersection of a vast number of variables. At the level of those involved, there is the question of who is distracted, reckless, drunk. Zooming out, there are factors such as the design and condition of the road, the quality (or absence) of a marked pedestrian crossing, the speed limit, the local lighting, the weight and height of the car involved. In a crash, all these variables and more converge at high speed in real-world, non-laboratory conditions that make it hard to isolate the influence of each variable.

Ask that same room of road safety experts a slightly different question – not exactly why US pedestrians fatalities have risen lately, but instead why the US has more of them than any other wealthy country – and the answers will come flooding out. In recent months, after conversations with more than a dozen such experts, I became familiar with a particular tone of voice: deep frustration at how obvious it all is, but wrapped in a package of professional cheeriness. 

Here is what the frustrated safety experts will tell you: Americans are driving more than ever, more than residents of any other country. More of them than ever are living in cities and out in urban sprawl; a growing number of pedestrian fatalities occur on the fringes of cities, where high-volume, high-speed roads exist in close proximity to the places where people live, work, and shop.

Speed limits have increased across the country over the past 20 years, despite robust evidence that even slight increases in speed dramatically increase the likelihood of killing pedestrians (car passengers, too – but the increase is not as steep, thanks to improvements in the design of car frames, airbags and seatbelts). American road engineers tend to assume people will speed, and so design roads to accommodate speeding; this, in turn, facilitates more speeding, which soon enough makes higher speed limits feel reasonable. And more Americans than ever are zipping around in SUVs and pickup trucks, which, thanks to their height, weight and shape are between two and three times more likely to kill people they hit.

More fundamentally, the US is the country in the world most shaped, physically and culturally, by the presumption that the uninterrupted flow of car traffic is an obvious public good, one that deserves to trump all others in the road planning process. Many of its younger cities are designed almost entirely around planning paradigms in which pedestrians were either ignored or factored only as nuisances. 

There is no greater symptom of this worldview than the recurring focus on mobile phones, especially smartphones and their tendency to monopolise our limited attention. Road signs warning against phone use while driving are so commonplace that they almost blend into the landscape. Parents make their kids promise they won’t use their phones while driving. Kids nod and promise they won’t. Phone-tracking studies indicate that most of them do it anyway and that their parents do, too.

In recent years, America’s fear of the distracted driver expanded to include the distracted walker. This is a replay of an old phenomenon: it was the US that invented the concept of the “jaywalker”, a “jay” being an unsophisticated person from the country who did not even know how to walk correctly. In the US, much like anywhere that cars have taken hold, drivers screaming at pedestrians (and cyclists) that they are doing it wrong is a fixture of national life. More recently, numerous states and cities, including San Francisco and New York, have launched public campaigns against inattentive walking, as has the US National Safety Council. Some jurisdictions have passed, or sought to pass, bills that would make using a smartphone while crossing the road an offence punishable by fine. On Twitter, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has weighed in on the pedestrian safety crisis primarily by coaching pedestrians on how to protect themselves. “When you are walking, be predictable”, advises @NHTSAgov.

Safety experts are not terribly excited about pedestrian avoidance technology. It wasn’t that they doubted it might save some pedestrian lives. Instead, their recurring concern was that it reflects an ongoing focus on individual shortcomings – on flawed drivers and walkers – and a neglect of flaws built in to the roads they are forced to use.

“Pedestrian detection will probably help a bit,” says Dan Albert, author of Are We There Yet?, a history of American car culture. “But at the same time, it’s pretty clear that these problems can be addressed without hi-tech solutions. And so what are the car companies up to? It’s not just about some altruistic desire for safety, or they would be including these systems on all of their cars, which very few companies are doing. It’s more about creating a range of products that allows them to maximise profit.”

Of course, people can learn to understand new tools. More troubling is the fact that very little robust evidence has been available as to pedestrian avoidance systems’ real-world benefits. The organisations rating these systems do so based on tests conducted in laboratories and on test tracks, but it has not yet been reliably established how well these tests predict performance on actual roads, with real live pedestrians instead of crash test dummies (not to mention variable light and rain conditions).

The self-driving car “space” is flooded in loose cash. This is why pedestrian avoidance systems are becoming ubiquitous. Investment dollars have both improved the required parts and programmes and pushed down their cost. Otherwise, they would not be affordable enough to sell to any but the richest car-buyers. Meanwhile, the race continues. The tech companies keep saying they are almost there (they know they said they were almost there before, but this time is different, they promise). Almost every major car company has partnered with a lab developing self-driving car technology, either because they think it might become a requirement to stay in business, or because enough of their shareholders think so that they need to make a show of playing along.

One night in March 2018, a 49-year-old woman named Elaine Herzberg was pushing a bicycle laden with grocery bags across a four-lane road in Tempe, Arizona when she was struck and killed by a Volvo X90 operating under the control of Uber’s self-driving software. As is standard practice, a backup safety driver, employed by Uber, was sitting in the car, the idea being that she would take over in the case of error. 1.3 seconds before impact, Uber’s software calculated that emergency braking was called for. According to Uber, self-braking had been turned off to reduce jerky and unpredictable behaviour. With less than a second to go, the safety driver tried––and failed––to swerve away. (The post-crash investigation indicated that she had probably been watching the singing contest The Voice on her phone.) News outlets around the world covered Herzberg’s death in obsessive detail, asking whether it indicated that autonomous vehicles were less “ready” than we had been led to believe.

But, just as the original quest for autonomous vehicles had nothing to do with pedestrian safety, concern over Herzberg’s death often felt curiously divorced from concern for pedestrians in general. Herzberg was killed in March 2018. Between January and June of that year, 124 pedestrians were killed in Arizona, more than all but four other states in absolute terms, and more than all but one on a per capita basis. It goes without saying that none of these pedestrians’ names are known around the world, or that any of them generated a slurry of commentary about whether the American transportation environment is “safe enough” or “as safe as it should be”.

In the US, meanwhile, it remains the case that pedestrian advocates have failed to engineer the cultural process that transforms a scattered mass of dead and injured bodies into a widely recognized problem. They have not come close. When two Boeing 737s went down, killing 346 people, it triggered multiple government investigations. Crash reconstruction and analysis experts showed up. Corporate spokespeople apologized, began handing out checks to victims’ families and swore to do better. Journalists searched for explanations. But cars kill a 737’s worth of American pedestrians every couple of weeks. Internationally, it is more than three 737s per day. And the news cycle barely stutters.

In 2017, for the first time, each US state was required to submit road fatality reduction targets to the federal government. Most states set extremely limited goals: Wisconsin, for example, aimed to have 342 pedestrian fatalities, instead of 361. Several set a rather fatalistic goal of no reduction at all. Eighteen states went a step further, setting as their target an increase in their pedestrian death count. It is not that they want more pedestrians to die. But they know that people are likely to be driving more, they know what their roads are like and they know the laws of physics. Unlike the unending stream of hype coming from the autonomous car sector, these dour projections received no coverage outside of traffic reform circles. Unfortunately, they are more likely to contain the truth.

Read the full article here. 

Buying a Home In A Safe Neighborhood

Dangerous Intersection Ahead

If you are buying a home these days you should probably do your due diligence on dangerous intersections that are within a few blocks of your home.  Especially if you have kids and these kids like to play outside and walk to school or around the neighborhood.  Common sense would tell you that your local government should provide a map of these hazardous intersections and provide this data to Google Maps and other navigation sources.  Does this happen?  Off course it doesn't!!!   

One of the biggest concerns of a prospective home buyer today is the safety of street and neighborhood.  What kind of traffic on the street next to the home and is it safe to walk the streets and have my kids play outside.  Most people don't often think of doing due diligence on historic accidents in the neighborhood or street.  We have even done a map showing dangerous schools near hazardous intersections.  

Most drivers are much more more distracted than they were 20 years ago and thus accidents and pedestrian fatalities have increase significantly.  Here is an article about the top reasons that cause a dangerous intersection and another article about the top 10 causes of death among people ages 15-29.  

It is not always transparent if you are new to a neighborhood if there have been historic problems with a particular intersection and its not easy to find news articles and get information.  In fact, not all cities keep historic accident records and are required to publish the information for fear of liability.  Public relations is a huge part of trying to squash any negative press about intersections that are "dangerous by design" because cities don't want the liability or lawsuit.  Cities don't have fix problems unless they are forced to fix the issue with enough pressure.  

Here is a person in Redondo Beach that won a lawsuit against the city for $27M because he proved the intersection was dangerous by design and the city did nothing to fix the problem.  

BadIntersections.com uses public news data sources and user contributions to map dangerous vehicle, pedestrian, bike and train intersections.  We collect thousands of new fatalities and articles from around the World highlighting dangerous intersections.  The map is free to search and can be found by clicking on the map below.   If you see an intersection area that you would like us to add please email us an article or click on the + directly on the map to contribute the location.  Keep in mind we do not accept all submissions unless the information is complete with substantiated evidence.  

  

Map of Hazardous Intersections & Fatalities

We often get emails from real estate agents looking for data to help their clients better understand what dangerous intersections exists in the neighborhood near the home.  This is often true of out of state buyers looking at homes who are unfamiliar with the area.   Home buyers from out of the area often want to get a feel for the area without having to see the location first hand and want to know if a particular home or apartment is near any hazards. 

Badintersectionscom is actively trying to dangerous intersection locations used by real estate companies like Zillow, RedFin & Realtor.com.  We think hazardous road location data should be an attribute used by real estate companies similar to how Walkscore provides a information about things nearby a home like schools, restaurants and parks.  

Most real estate companies have been very reluctant to share this data with prospective home buyers for obvious reasons.  Why would any real estate agent want to give a reason NOT to buy a home?  Hopefully, this culture of dishonesty will change in the near future and this data can provide some transparency.  

Everything You Need to Know to Stay Safe While Driving on Dangerous Roads

Everything You Need to Know to Stay Safe Whilst Driving on Dangerous Roads Being a new driver on the road can be really scary for any driver that has only recently passed their test. You certainly have to endure some daunting moments when you’re a newbie on the road, but there is nothing quite as intimidating as the first time you drive on the dreaded motorway. The rules of the motorway work a bit differently to the standard rules of road, and if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing, you could end up endangering yourself and other drivers around you. That’s why we’ve provided a short list of things that all motorway novices need to be aware of to ensure that your experience driving on the motorway is safe and stress-free.

Be Well Prepared

Possibly the worst mistake you could make in your first time driving on the motorway is failing to sufficiently prepare for your journey. Before you set off, you should be aware of which junctions you will be joining and leaving the motorway at. This way, you’ll always have something to look for while you’re driving, even if you don’t know exactly where you are or how far away you are from your destination. Relying on a sat-nav is not always the most reliable mode of direction, so having a good idea of where you need to go is always important. Also, you’ll want to ensure that your car is fully ready for the task of driving on the motorway before you set off. It would be wise to have a quick check of your car’s tire pressures, oil levels and the performance of the brakes to give yourself some extra piece of mind and relieve your mind of some of the stress that comes with driving on the motorway. You may also want to fill up your car with enough petrol to prevent you from having top stop midway through your journey to fill up.

Driving Safely

If you don’t know how to safely drive on the motorway, there’s a much bigger chance of you endangering both yourself and other drivers. Whatever lane you find yourself in, you should never drive too fast or too slowly. Driving too fast makes it harder to brake and increases the chances of a speed-related accident, while driving too slowly increases the chances of other drivers colliding with you from behind. There are three lanes of traffic on a motorway; both the middle lane and the right-hand lane are designed for overtaking, with the left-hand lane designed purely for normal driving. Overtaking in the left-hand lane, also known as undertaking, is dangerous and is something that you should never do when driving on the motorway. This is because drivers in the middle lane are always advised to move to left-hand lane when possible, but this cannot be done when there is somebody overtaking in the left-hand lane.

Problems of this nature often occur to drivers of heavy goods vehicles, especially as their surrounding vision is not usually as good as it is for normal drivers. This is one of many reasons why lorry drivers need lorry insurance; motorway accidents occur at an alarming rate, and this can often be as a result of unsafe driving.

Avoid Distractions

When driving for long distances at a relatively constant speed, it is quite easy to become distracted. Unfortunately, this is not only extremely dangerous when driving on a motorway, it is worryingly common too. Tiredness is a regular distraction that often impairs people’s driving ability on the motorway, and is the cause of many road accidents. It is never a good idea to drive at high speeds while you are tired, and you should avoid doing this at all costs.

Other common distractions that tend to affect motorway drivers can also be whatever is inside your vehicle. When cruising at a high speed, it can be tempting to become distracted by your mobile phone or any other device in your car. However, when you’re moving at high speeds, it only takes one distraction to take away your concentration for a few seconds, which is often all that it takes to cause a harmful collision. When accidents do occur on the motorway, you shouldn’t rubberneck by driving slower in order to see the crash for yourself. This can not only cause another traffic accident, but it can increase congestion greatly.

Once you get the hang of driving on the motorway, you should not feel intimidated by the prospect of it. Motorway driving can be done in a safe, efficient manner, and although it may seem daunting at first, it should become pretty easy for you once you have done it a few times. As long as you are well-prepared, committed to driving safely and fully undistracted, you’ll be able to have a stress-free motorway experience. For even more beneficial driving advice and news, take a look at this article here.

Why all the Angry Holiday Drivers?

Why does driving during the Holidays often seems more stressful than usual?  Are family issues and frustrations spilling out onto the streets?

I am always especially cautious while driving during the Christmas Holiday.  Driving behavior seems to change a lot during the Holiday and people become more aggressive and impatient on the road.  Is it that people like to take their family or shopping pressure frustrations out on the road?

Yes, traffic is probably slightly worse near shopping malls but regular commutes to work are faster due to people working from home or on vacation.  You can see the frustration on drivers' faces during this time of year.  Especially when they have to stop and wait for someone crossing the street or someone makes a slight driving error in-front of them.

Driving near shopping malls can be especially hazardous.  We have found in our dangerous intersections database that more accidents are occurring at intersections near shopping malls.  Search the previous map link in your area for dangerous intersections near shopping malls.   

How Many Accidents Occur at Stop Sign Intersections?

National statistics reveal that one-third of all intersection crashes in the United States occur at stop sign controlled intersections – approximately 700,000 crashes annually. And more than 40% of fatal crashes that take place each year happen at stop sign intersections.

• Common reasons why people run stop signs include: 
• Inattention 
• Impatience 
• Failure to come to a complete stop, referred to as a rolling stop
• Obstructed view
• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Reckless driving
• Driving under the influence.

Why Have Highway & Railroad Crossing Accidents Been Increasing?

Here is a breakdown of the highway and railroad crossing incidents by railroad operators from 2012-2015.  Here is the source of the info from the Federal Railroad Administration.