STOP! RUNNING THAT RED LIGHT COULD BE DEADLY!

Texas has the fourth highest rate of red-light running deaths per 100,000 residents. According to statistics gathered from 78 cities, Dallas ranks 7th deadliest, Corpus Christi 13th, Austin 16th, Houston 21st and El Paso 28th. A Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) researcher is conducting a two-year project aimed at reducing red- light running. The project has documented red-light running as often as every six minutes at the busiest intersections in several cities, or about every third traffic signal. At average violations occur about every 25 minutes or every 17th traffic signal cycle. But the project intends to connect observations with crash statistics to identify intersections where red-light violations contribute to safety problems, because the sheer volume of violations does not always mesh with the amount of danger. The project will produce a technical handbook to help agencies identify problem intersections and implement solutions tailored to the situation. The three most commonly used measures are making signal heads more visible, added warning signs that signals are ahead, and improving signal coordination. Small increases in yellow duration are also found to help.