Stop Running Red Lights!
– By James McFadden –
In an article I wrote back in May 2022, I shared some thoughts and photos of an accident I was first on the scene for, at the intersection of Mall Drive and Red Cliffs Drive. It was a pretty scary scenario that continues to be played out over and over here in southern Utah and that needs to change!
First, let’s examine the definition of an accident. An accident is an unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury. The National Safety Council’s definition of a preventable accident is – An accident in which the driver failed to do everything reasonable to prevent it.
In 2022, more than 46,000 people lost their lives in a preventable traffic crash. That’s more than 46,000 people who didn’t make it home to their families and loved ones in 2022. According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an estimated 94% of motor vehicle accidents were caused by driver error. As it stands today, over two million people are hurt in traffic accidents every year.
If, in writing this, I can help a small handful of people think twice before trying to run a red light because they’re in a hurry or frustrated with other drivers, it just might save a life. So, every now and then, I’m going to do just that. Remind everyone to slow the hell down and take a chill pill. Life is too short to lose it behind the wheel of your car; the bottom line is this… If we don’t get this behavior under control, people are going to continue to senselessly lose their lives to ignorance, arrogance, and blatant disregard for human safety.
So the next time you find yourself falling into this trap as others are disregarding the safety of others ahead of you, I would implore you to slow down and do the right thing. If you do, the life you save might be mine or someone I love.
Please be safe out there, and please stop running red lights… it’s not worth your life, or the life of a total stranger.
I find people run red lights due to the timing of the light cycle. Coming from Sun River to get onto I15 NB the lights cycle irregularly. Sometimes it changes as the first vehicle goes through the intersection. This will worsen with industrial & households increasing on Southern Parkway. When Smith’s Marketplace & other businesses open within the year it will be a logistical nightmare. One vehicle (many commercial) coming off I15 SB at exit 2 trips the lights for those trying to get on I15 NB. Come & witness it. I have sped in an intersection when the light turns yellow because I see the vehicles behind me speeding up & I don’t want to get rear ended & get injured & my car get ruined. I see 2 & more vehicles behind me keep going through red.
Another bad intersection is getting on I15 SB from the East side of Dixie. The lights need to be cycled better. There are so many intersections in SG that need attention.
Need to repost this letter again so accessible from main page. Not easy to relocate. Vital commentary… Sincerely Jerold Nodvik. – Santa Clara resident…. PS – letter to editor written decade+ ago entitled Awakened Driving went viral on Google search… Not a comment or opinion by the way – a suggestion herein… peace out…
The traffic lights in and around St. George are terrible! Flashing yellow arrows eed to be eliminated. The traffic volumes in St. George have increased dramatically with the growth, but the City Council ignores any upgrades to widening or updates for traffic to flow. Thus impatient people take foolish risks to save a few seconds or minutes. Numerous busy intersections have no turn arrows of any kind making it hazardous to make a turn. Co.e on City Hall you can do better!