Motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians in New Orleans have to be cognizant of a great number of factors that could arise when they are out on the road. A problem that should be of primary concern is the possibility of a driver disobeying traffic laws. One particular violation that can result in catastrophic and sometimes fatal injuries is the running of red lights. Studies have shown that this is a common cause for accidents.
A study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed that in 2008, 762 people were killed because of accidents that occurred after vehicles ran through red lights. Approximately 165,000 are injured every year due to this very same issue. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, half of the fatalities were not the drivers who committed the violations.
Other statistics indicate how prevalent and worrisome this problem is. A 2004 NHTSA study found that 97 percent of the drivers who were surveyed believed that other drivers violating red lights is a significant threat to their safety. An earlier survey revealed that one out of every three people who were polled said that they knew someone who had been injured or died in an auto accident that involved running a red light.
Intersections are among the more risky locations for drivers and pedestrians. The 2008 study by the NHTSA said that greater than 2.3 million accidents in intersections were reported. In these incidents, nearly 7,800 people died and an estimated 733,000 were injured. A person who has been injured in an accident involving the running of a red light may want to have the assistance of a personal injury attorney in seeking compensation from the negligent driver.
