A new study issued today by the National Safety Council says that fatal crashes at intersections with traffic lights decreased by 17%, and fatal crashes at intersections involving red-light running decreased by 27% from 2005 to 2009.
The study analyzed crash data in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, using statistics from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Nonetheless, there were still 12,396 fatal crashes at intersections with traffic lights, including 4,394 fatal intersection crashes involving red-light running during the five year period. All told 13,266 people were killed from these crashes.
“This report shows that we are making large strides as a nation in reducing crashes at intersections,” said Janet Froetscher, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. “Each of us should consider these statistics and the measures we can take to protect ourselves, our families and our communities.”
The results show that although the number of fatal and nonfatal crashes at intersections has decreased over the last several years, the change is in proportion to overall motor vehicle traffic crash trends.
Fatal intersection crashes tend to occur within intersections, while nonfatal crashes tend to occur while entering or exiting intersections.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
