Characteristics of red light violators: Results of a field investigation

A substantial proportion of urban motor-vehicle crashes occur at intersections, and many intersection crashes involve drivers running through red lights. The present study used data collected by an automated camera, trained observers, and department of motor vehicle records to provide a profile of red light runners at an urban intersection. It compares characteristics of these drivers and their vehicles with those of a comparison group of drivers that had an opportunity to run the red light but did not. Red light runners, as a group, were younger, less likely to wear seat belts, had poorer driving records, and drove smaller and older vehicles than the drivers who did not run red lights. Research has shown that red light running can be reduced through automated enforcement using red light cameras and by environmental modifications, such as changing traffic signal timing.