How many times have you gotten in the car to go somewhere and realized you might not make it on time? This has happened to all of us at least once, but it’s how you respond to the issue that truly matters.
Calling the person who’s expecting you or taking an alternate route are both acceptable ways to respond, driving fast and running a red light is not.
In 2015 alone, 771 people were killed and an estimated 137,000 were injured in crashes that involved a driver that ran a red light, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Aug. 6 through 12 is National Stop on Red Week, and it serves as a reminder that a red light means it’s not safe to cross an intersection.
South Carolina has banned the use of red light cameras, but if deputies see a driver running a red light, they will take the appropriate action. The fine in our state for traffic infractions ranges anywhere from $250 all the way up to $1500. Are a few extra seconds really worth hundreds of dollars and possibly someone’s life?
I ask you to help keep our roads safer and prevent collisions due to “red light running” by remembering to leave a little extra travel time for traffic. We all have places to be, but if you don’t obey traffic lights, you might not get to your destination at all.