More than 100,000 people are seriously injured and hundreds killed each year when drivers run stop signs. In an effort to show just how dangerous running a stop light can be American Traffic Solutions (ATS), the biggest supplier of red-light traffic cameras, has been sharing crash clips on YouTube.
ATS asserts the cameras “change driver behavior and help save lives.” However, the company’s efforts have been met with skepticism by a National Motorists Association rep that claims the videos don’t demonstrate this behavior change.
Still, the videos are a compilation of car crashes and educating drivers as to the serious dangers of running stop signs can only be a good thing, right? Below is the video.
Below are some driver safety tips every driver should follow to help ensure the roads are safe for all drivers.
Driver Safety – Stop Sign Laws
Obey Stop Signs – state laws vary from state to state, but in all jurisdictions, the driver is required to come to a complete stop at a stop sign, even if there is no visible vehicle or onlookers. Crashes occur most commonly when the driver is impatient and rolls through the stop sign. The driver should stop for a good three seconds while looking left to right to center.
Four-Way Stop – “First come, first go.” The vehicle to stop at the sign first gets to go first, then the person to the right goes until the square is complete. While this is the law not all drivers adhere to it and as such you need to watch driver actions.
Stop vs. Yield – Many drivers make the mistake of confusing a stop sign and a yield sign. Treating a yield sign as a stop sign doesn’t generally pose a danger, but treating a stop sign like a yield sign certainly does. You must stop at a stop sign, no matter what. But if no other vehicles are present you can slowly roll through a yield sign.
State Laws
Each state carries traffic laws that specifically require "obedience to traffic control signals and devices" (or similarly-worded language), meaning drivers must observe and obey all traffic lights and stop signs when operating vehicles.
To learn more about traffic laws please refer to Running a Red Light / Stop Sign: Laws in All 50 States.
A founding partner with Bradshaw & Bryant, Mike Bryant has always fought to find justice for his clients—knowing that legal troubles, both personal injury and criminal, can be devastating for a family. Voted a Top 40 Personal Injury "Super Lawyer" multiple years, Mr. Bryant has also been voted one of the Top 100 Minnesota "Super Lawyers" four times.
2 Comments
Bob Chalfant
After capturing millions of red light runners in their long history, ATS should have enough factual, objective data to show a measurable decrease in broadside accidents, not only at the monitored intersections but throughout the city. Claiming that cameras "change driver behavior" puts a much bigger onus on their shoulders. It implies that everyone in the city now drives more carefully. I'm doubtful.
Showing these videos of accidents is purely anecdotal and creates an emotional response. However, showing videos of accidents where ATS cameras are installed is evidence that cameras don't actually reduce accidents.
Mike Bryant
That is the point of the first paragraph> I think education is our best bet, but clearly anything that can be done to get rid of distractions would help. Another reason to always keep an eye out. Thansk for stopping by and leaving a comment.
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