According to the U.S. Census, Brooklyn has a population of approximately 2.5 million people, making it the most populous of all of the five boroughs in New York City. That means the city streets are bustling with cars, buses, cyclists, and pedestrians at all times of the day. When navigating busy city streets, motorists are responsible for obeying the rules of the road and avoiding unsafe driving behaviors that can endanger other motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians in the vicinity. That includes speeding through a red light at a busy intersection. Too often, however, motorists rush to get to work or school or are simply impatient and speed through an intersection after the traffic light has turned red. This can have devastating consequences if a motorist or a pedestrian crosses an intersection when their light turns green.
Why Do Motorists Run Red Lights?
Running through red lights is one of the most common causes of car accidents, particularly in busy cities like Brooklyn, where many impatient drivers do not consider the consequences of driving through a red light, especially if they are running late. The following are some of the most common reasons why motorists run red lights in Brooklyn:
- Motorists are in a rush: If traffic is particularly heavy, or the alarm does not go off, motorists may try to make up for lost time by hitting the gas pedal as the traffic light turns red rather than stop and arrive at their destination a few minutes late.
- They think they can beat the yellow light: When motorists are stuck behind another driver who is slow to proceed through an intersection, or they are waiting for a break in the oncoming traffic, and the traffic light changes from green to yellow, they may misjudge how long it will take for the light to turn from yellow to red.
- Lack of concern for other people’s safety: Unfortunately, some motorists drive through red lights without thinking about how their reckless behavior will affect other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
- Driving too fast when approaching a traffic light: Speeding makes it more challenging to slow down or come to a complete stop when approaching a red light. In addition, if a motorist causes an accident when speeding when running a red light, the resulting injuries and property damage are likely to be considerable due to the extreme force of impact.
- Distracted driving: When a motorist is reading or sending a text, talking on the phone, or engaging in other distracted behavior as they approach a traffic light, they are likelier to drive through a red light.
- Impaired driving: Drunk driving, or any type of impaired driving, affects motorists’ reaction times, coordination, and judgment, which increases the risk of running through a red light when approaching an intersection.
What Are the Consequences of Running a Red Light in Brooklyn?
While running through a red light may be a split-second decision, the consequences can be quite severe and have a lasting impact, particularly if serious injuries or fatalities are involved. The following are examples of what can happen when you run a red light in Brooklyn and throughout New York City:
- Injuries are likely to be severe. When people run through red lights, they often drive at a higher-than-average speed. When a motorist drives through a red light while motorists with a green light are crossing the intersection, this can increase the risk of a devastating T-bone accident. This often involves severe injuries and fatalities to the occupants of the vehicle that was hit by the car that ran the red light, particularly if the car was traveling at a high speed.
- Running a red light is considered reckless driving in New York City. In the eyes of the law, aggressive driving is a lack of concern for the health and safety of one’s passengers and others on the road. You will likely be cited for a moving violation, as well as criminal charges if the accident caused another person to suffer severe injuries or fatalities.
How Can I Avoid a Red Light Accident?
You cannot control how other people drive, but you can take every precaution to avoid a severe accident caused by a motorist running a red light, including the following:
- Follow the speed limit, and prepare to stop when the light turns yellow.
- Pause and look both ways before entering an intersection after the light turns green. This will ensure you are not struck by a vehicle speeding through a red light from the other direction.
- Pay attention to other motorists around you. Drivers distracted by a text or a phone call may be more likely to run a red light.
Our Skilled Brooklyn Car Accident Lawyers at Rubenstein & Rynecki Represent Victims of Red Light Accidents
If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a car accident caused by a motorist who ran through a red light, contact our experienced Brooklyn car accident lawyers at Rubenstein & Rynecki at your earliest convenience. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 718-522-1020 or contact us online. Located in Brooklyn, we serve clients throughout New York City, including The Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.
