Defensive Driving: Red Means Stop

What constitutes running a red light is pretty simple – you entered the intersection while the traffic light was red. Not yellow. Not green. Red — the color of the light at the top of that thing hanging down over the intersection. What is not simple is what defines an intersection? In each and every state, and sometimes even within a jurisdiction, the intersection will be defined differently. Generally, provided that you entered the intersection legally, that is on a green or yellow light, you have the right to clear it on a red.

Red light runners come in different forms. You’ve got your pre-red light runner: that’s the guy who accelerates during the green or yellow light and hopes to pass through the intersection before it becomes red. Then, you’ve got your solid red light runner: he’s the one who runs through a red because he’s distracted or daydreaming. Finally, you’ve got the “wasn’t it green yet?” red light runner: he’s the one who tries to “time” the light, or anticipates the light changing from red to green, incorrectly.

Red light runners are all too common, second only to the Stop sign rollers (which we’ll discuss at another time). Given that the “average” speed through a red light is 50 MPH, regardless of which red light runner you are, you are setting yourself up for a nice little collision.

No matter if you’re the one running the red light or you’re just approaching an intersection – whether in a car or on foot — you should always be aware of what is going on around you.