Why Running a Traffic Light Is an Extremely Bad Idea

The United States reports the most annual car crashes of any country in the world, with nearly four times as many incidents as the next most crash-prone country, Japan. However, the question often lacks clarity: 'Which country has the most car accidents?' or 'Who has been in the most accidents?' These details are crucial to understanding the issue.

For the purposes of this discussion, we will explore the dangers of running a traffic light and provide real-life examples of how such actions can lead to tragic outcomes.

Real-Life Example: A Head-On Crash

A personal encounter with a traffic accident highlighted the potential consequences of rushing to clear an intersection. While walking, I witnessed a head-on collision. The driver of one of the vehicles was standing on the sidewalk, a vivid reminder of the accident. When asked what had happened, he explained:

“I wanted to make a left turn. The light was turning yellow, so I accelerated to clear the intersection before the light turned red. The guy coming towards me also wanted to beat the red light, so he floored his car. We were both committed to speeding up. Once you’ve committed yourself, there’s no going back. We crashed into each other head-on.”

This incident underscores the risk of committing to a particular action before the light has changed, as it leaves no room for change or error.

Side Effects of Impulsivity at Traffic Lights

Impulsivity at traffic lights can have numerous unforeseen consequences. Here are some examples:

Pedestrian activity: Pedestrians may enter the crosswalk ahead of the light, catching drivers off guard.

Other drivers’ reactions: A driver in front of you may brake suddenly to adjust to the light change, causing you to misjudge your timing.

Cops on the scene: Law enforcement might be present in adjacent streets, yet drivers may not be aware of this and proceed recklessly.

These variables can drastically change the outcome of a decision to run a traffic light, often leading to severe consequences.

Tragic Incidents Caused by Running a Traffic Light

A more recent and heart-wrenching example occurred just last month in our building complex. It happened at 2:20 AM, a time when traffic should be minimal but drunks are much more prevalent. A woman who was turning into our apartment complex was tragically killed. She was with a friend who was chatting, and both were distracted. Two drunk drivers were also on the road, possibly engaged in similar conversations.

“Head-on crash! Such was the impact that the victim's car was spun 180 degrees and ended up against the building's signage. We could deduce the details of the crash by the car's orientation.”

The two drivers who caused the accident behaved in a callous manner. Upon realizing the woman’s death, the neighbor may have been thrown through the window, they fled the scene. The police located them and charged them. The impact on the lives of everyone involved was devastating.

Conclusion

Running a traffic light may seem like a small action, but it can have catastrophic results. It is crucial to adhere to traffic rules, especially in high-risk situations. Always be aware of your surroundings and the behavior of other road users. By doing so, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and contribute to a safer driving environment.