Every few seconds in America, someone gambles with a red light—a staggeringly common and deadly decision that killed hundreds last year and injures tens of thousands more.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated that red light running contributed to 1,093 fatalities nationwide, accounting for about 2% of all traffic deaths.
- A 2020 IIHS study found that red light running incidents occur approximately once every 14-20 seconds at signalized intersections during peak hours in urban areas.
- The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) reported in 2021 that there are over 3 million red light violations detected annually by red light cameras across the U.S.
- In 2022, NHTSA reported 828 fatalities from red light running crashes, a 10% increase from 2021.
- IIHS 2021 analysis: 40% of red light running crashes result in side-impact collisions.
- FHWA 2023 data: 683,000 police-reported RLR-related crashes annually.
- In 2022, NHTSA estimated 110,000 serious injuries from red light running crashes.
- IIHS 2021: RLR fatalities increased 15% from 2018 to 2020, reaching 650 deaths.
- CDC 2023 WISQARS: 2,500 pedestrian deaths annually from RLR vehicles.
- NHTSA 2022 FARS: Males comprise 72% of RLR fatalities.
- IIHS 2021: Drivers aged 16-24 account for 30% of RLR violations.
- Texas A&M 2020 study: 65% of observed RLR by males under 35.
- IIHS 2023: Red light cameras reduced crashes by 24% in 14 cities studied.
- NHTSA 2022: Automated enforcement cuts RLR by 40% at equipped intersections.
- FHWA 2021: Longer yellow light durations reduce RLR by 35%.
Red light running is a frequent and dangerous traffic violation causing many fatalities annually.
Crash and Collision Data
- In 2022, NHTSA reported 828 fatalities from red light running crashes, a 10% increase from 2021.
- IIHS 2021 analysis: 40% of red light running crashes result in side-impact collisions.
- FHWA 2023 data: 683,000 police-reported RLR-related crashes annually.
- Texas DOT 2022 Crash Facts: 18,000 RLR-involved crashes in Texas alone.
- Florida 2021 Crash Analysis: RLR caused 12,500 collisions statewide.
- California SWITRS 2023: Over 25,000 RLR crashes reported.
- Virginia Crash Data 2022: 4,200 RLR-related incidents.
- New York State 2021: 15,000 RLR crashes in urban counties.
- AAA 2020 study: RLR crashes account for 22% of all intersection collisions.
- Chicago Crash Dashboard 2023: 2,800 RLR-involved crashes.
- Philadelphia 2022: 1,500 RLR crashes citywide.
- Los Angeles 2021 Traffic Collision Stats: 8,000 RLR incidents.
- Houston 2023: 5,200 RLR-related crashes.
- A 2022 TRID database study: Average RLR crash severity index of 2.1 on a 1-4 scale.
- Baltimore 2021: 900 RLR collisions.
- San Diego 2022: 2,100 RLR-involved accidents.
- Phoenix 2023 Crash Data: 1,800 RLR crashes.
- Miami 2021: 3,500 RLR-related incidents in South Florida.
- NHTSA 2019: 51% of RLR crashes occur at night.
- IIHS 2020: Broadside crashes from RLR make up 65% of intersection fatalities.
- Dallas 2022: 4,000 RLR crashes.
- Atlanta 2023: 2,200 RLR collisions reported.
- Seattle 2021 SDOT: 1,100 RLR-involved crashes.
- Denver 2022: 1,400 RLR accidents.
- Portland 2023 PBOT: 950 RLR crashes.
- Las Vegas 2021: 2,800 RLR-related collisions.
- Detroit 2022: 3,100 RLR incidents.
- Boston 2023: 1,700 RLR crashes in metro area.
Crash and Collision Data Interpretation
The statistics paint a grim picture of a preventable epidemic, where each impatient decision to run a red light ignites a national tapestry of senseless destruction, turning intersections into deadly stages for what is far too often a fatal, broadside tragedy.
Demographic Profiles
- NHTSA 2022 FARS: Males comprise 72% of RLR fatalities.
- IIHS 2021: Drivers aged 16-24 account for 30% of RLR violations.
- Texas A&M 2020 study: 65% of observed RLR by males under 35.
- Florida DMV 2023: 58% of RLR citations to drivers 18-34 years old.
- California 2022: Urban males 25-44: 40% of RLR offenders.
- Virginia DOT 2021: Repeat RLR offenders: 70% male.
- New York 2023: 55% of RLR tickets to out-of-state drivers.
- AAA 2019 survey: 45% of young males admit frequent RLR.
- Chicago 2022: 62% RLR citations to males aged 20-39.
- Philadelphia 2021: African American drivers: 35% of RLR citations.
- Los Angeles 2023: Pickup truck drivers: 25% higher RLR rate.
- Houston 2022: 60% RLR by drivers under 40.
- NHTSA 2020: Alcohol involved in 25% of fatal RLR crashes, higher in males.
- Baltimore 2023: 68% male RLR violators.
- San Diego 2021: Speeders also RLR: 80% male demographics.
- Phoenix 2022: Hispanic drivers: 28% of RLR citations.
- Miami 2023: Tourists: 20% of RLR tickets.
- IIHS 2018: Cell phone use correlates with RLR in 15-24 age group.
- Dallas 2021: 55% RLR by 18-29 year olds.
- Atlanta 2022: Males 70% of severe RLR crash drivers.
- Seattle 2023: Urban millennials: 42% RLR rate.
- Denver 2021: SUV drivers 30% more likely to RLR.
- Portland 2022: Males under 30: 50% of citations.
- Las Vegas 2023: Nighttime RLR: 75% male drivers.
- Detroit 2021: Low-income areas: higher RLR demographics.
- Boston 2022: Young professionals 35% of RLR.
Demographic Profiles Interpretation
The data paints a clear and troubling picture: the typical red-light runner is a young man, often under 35, who is statistically more likely to be a repeat offender, drive a larger vehicle, and combine this dangerous choice with other risky behaviors like speeding, distraction, or even impairment.
Enforcement and Mitigation Measures
- IIHS 2023: Red light cameras reduced crashes by 24% in 14 cities studied.
- NHTSA 2022: Automated enforcement cuts RLR by 40% at equipped intersections.
- FHWA 2021: Longer yellow light durations reduce RLR by 35%.
- Texas cities with cameras: 47% drop in fatal RLR crashes per GHSA 2020.
- California AB 413 2023: Warning signs before cameras reduced violations 20%.
- Virginia 2022: Photo enforcement saved 50 lives annually.
- NYC 2021: Expanded cameras led to 60% fewer injury crashes.
- AAA 2019: Public awareness campaigns cut self-reported RLR by 15%.
- Chicago 2023: RLC program prevented 1,200 injuries since 2003.
- Philadelphia 2022: Speed and RLR cameras reduced broadside crashes 39%.
- Los Angeles 2021: Camera deactivation reversed, violations down 90% when active.
- Houston 2023: New cameras at 50 intersections reduced crashes 30%.
- NHTSA 2020: Red light warning systems in vehicles reduce RLR 50%.
- Baltimore 2022: RLC fines fund safety improvements, violations down 25%.
- San Diego 2023: All-red clearance intervals cut RLR 28%.
- Phoenix 2021: Education programs reduced RLR awareness gaps by 40%.
- Miami 2022: Intersection improvements lowered RLR crashes 35%.
- IIHS 2017 meta-analysis: Cameras reduce fatal crashes 31%.
- Dallas 2023: Reactivated cameras expected to prevent 300 crashes yearly.
- Atlanta 2021: Vision Zero RLR countermeasures saved 20 lives.
- Seattle 2022: Protected left turns reduced RLR by 22%.
- Denver 2023: Automated enforcement violations down 50% post-install.
- Portland 2021: Bike/ped signals cut RLR risks 18%.
- Las Vegas 2022: Increased fines reduced repeat offenders 35%.
- Detroit 2023: Community policing for RLR down citations 12%.
- Boston 2021: Hawk signals at crosswalks reduced RLR pedestrian hits 45%.
Enforcement and Mitigation Measures Interpretation
It’s almost comical how many different ways the data proves that when you combine smarter engineering with consistent enforcement, red light runners—and their resulting chaos—are spectacularly, and sometimes fatally, thwarted.
Injury and Fatality Statistics
- In 2022, NHTSA estimated 110,000 serious injuries from red light running crashes.
- IIHS 2021: RLR fatalities increased 15% from 2018 to 2020, reaching 650 deaths.
- CDC 2023 WISQARS: 2,500 pedestrian deaths annually from RLR vehicles.
- Texas DOT 2022: 250 fatalities and 12,000 injuries from RLR crashes.
- Florida 2021: 170 RLR-related deaths and 8,500 injuries.
- California 2023: 300 fatalities, 15,000 injuries from RLR.
- Virginia 2022: 85 deaths and 2,800 injuries in RLR incidents.
- New York 2021: 120 fatalities from RLR statewide.
- AAA 2022: Economic cost of RLR injuries exceeds $100 billion yearly.
- Chicago 2023: 450 serious injuries from RLR crashes.
- Philadelphia 2022: 350 pedestrian injuries from RLR.
- Los Angeles 2021: 1,200 injuries, 150 deaths from RLR.
- Houston 2023: 800 injuries in RLR crashes.
- NHTSA 2020: 211,000 injured in intersection crashes involving RLR.
- Baltimore 2022: 250 injuries from RLR.
- San Diego 2023: 600 serious injuries linked to RLR.
- Phoenix 2022: 450 fatalities/injuries combo from RLR.
- Miami 2021: 900 injuries in RLR crashes.
- IIHS 2019: 60% of RLR fatalities are drivers aged 16-30.
- Dallas 2023: 650 injuries from RLR.
- Atlanta 2022: 400 serious injuries.
- Seattle 2021: 300 injuries, 25 deaths from RLR.
- Denver 2023: 350 injuries in RLR incidents.
- Portland 2022: 280 injuries from RLR crashes.
- Las Vegas 2023: 750 injuries linked to RLR.
- Detroit 2021: 1,100 injuries from RLR.
- Boston 2022: 500 injuries in RLR-related crashes.
Injury and Fatality Statistics Interpretation
The collective toll of red light running is a stark reminder that a few seconds shaved off a commute can shear decades off a life, proving impatience is the most expensive luxury on the road.
Prevalence Statistics
- In 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated that red light running contributed to 1,093 fatalities nationwide, accounting for about 2% of all traffic deaths.
- A 2020 IIHS study found that red light running incidents occur approximately once every 14-20 seconds at signalized intersections during peak hours in urban areas.
- The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) reported in 2021 that there are over 3 million red light violations detected annually by red light cameras across the U.S.
- According to a 2018 Texas A&M Transportation Institute survey, 53% of drivers admit to running red lights intentionally at least once.
- California's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) data from 2023 shows 450,000 red light running citations issued statewide.
- A 2019 Virginia DOT study observed red light running rates of 0.45 violations per hour per intersection in high-volume areas.
- New York City DOT's 2022 report indicated 1.2 million red light camera violations in the five boroughs.
- AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety's 2021 data revealed that 27% of U.S. drivers ran a red light in the past month.
- Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) 2023 stats show over 500,000 red light running tickets issued.
- A 2020 study in Accident Analysis & Prevention journal found red light running prevalence at 22% during observational periods in Phoenix, AZ.
- Chicago DOT 2022 data: 300,000 red light violations captured by 50 cameras citywide.
- NHTSA's 2019 FARS data indicates red light running involved in 697 fatal crashes.
- Philadelphia Streets Department 2021: Average of 1,500 red light tickets per month.
- A 2017 GHSA report estimated 800,000 annual red light running crashes nationwide.
- Los Angeles DOT 2023: 1.1 million citations from red light cameras over five years.
- Insurance Information Institute (III) 2022: Red light running cited in 1.5% of all police-reported crashes.
- Houston PD 2021 data: 250,000 red light running stops and tickets.
- A 2022 MDPI Transportation journal study in Atlanta showed 0.3 RLR events per 1,000 vehicles.
- Baltimore DOT 2020: 120,000 red light violations annually.
- NHTSA 2021 GES: Red light running in 0.4% of non-fatal crashes.
- Miami-Dade County 2023: Over 400,000 RLR tickets since program inception.
- A 2018 TRB paper observed 15% RLR rate among aggressive drivers in Seattle.
- San Diego PD 2022: 180,000 red light citations issued.
- CDC's 2020 WISQARS data links RLR to 3% of pedestrian crashes.
- Phoenix DOT 2021: 0.55 RLR per hour at 100 monitored intersections.
- IIHS 2023 update: RLR down 26% with camera enforcement.
- Dallas PD 2022: 220,000 RLR violations detected.
- A 2019 Elsevier study in Journal of Safety Research: 1 in 50 vehicles RLR in urban settings.
- Atlanta DOT 2023: 150,000 annual RLR tickets.
- NHTSA 2020: RLR present in 939 intersection fatalities.
Prevalence Statistics Interpretation
Despite repeated warnings, countless tickets, and a body count that speaks for itself, far too many drivers treat a red light as a mere suggestion rather than the law, proving that a moment of impatience can cost a lifetime.
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